The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 Upon the infidels -- which none would be able to repel -- 2 No one can defend him against God, the Lord of the exalted positions. 3 Whereby the angels ascend unto Him and also the spirit, On a Day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 So persevere with becoming patience. 5 Indeed, they see it [as] distant, 6 but We see it is nigh. 7 On that Day the heavens shall become like molten brass, 8 and the mountains become like wool, 9 And no friend will ask of a friend, 10 Though within sight of one another. The sinner would like to ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his sons, 11 And his wife and his brother 12 And his kin that sheltered him. 13 And all those that are in the earth, (wishing) then (that) this might deliver him. 14 But no! There is a raging blaze 15 that will strip off the scalp. 16 It shall insistently summon him who turned his back and retreated, 17 And accumulated wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Indeed man is created very impatient, greedy. 19 When evil comes upon him he is impatient; 20 And niggardly when good befalls him 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 and constant in their prayers. 23 And those in whose riches is a known right. 24 for such as ask [for help] and such as are deprived [of what is good in life]; 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgement, 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord, -- 27 for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure; 28 and those who guard their private parts, 29 except from their wives and slave girls, in which case they are not to be blamed, 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, they are the transgressors. 31 and who preserve their trusts and their covenant, 32 and those who stand by their testimony 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 It is these who will be honoured in Gardens. 35