The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 The infidels, of which there is no averter. 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore endure with a goodly patience. 5 Verily! They see it (the torment) afar off, 6 But We see it [as] near. 7 The day when the sky will become as molten copper, 8 The mountains like the tufts of (carded) wool, 9 And no friend will ask after a friend, 10 Though they will be given sight of them. The guilty man will long to be able to ransom himself from the punishment of that day at the price of his children 11 his wife, his brother, 12 And the nearest of his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 and all those on earth. 14 By no means! Verily it is a Flame. 15 tearing away his skin! 16 and it will claim all those who turned their backs [on the true faith] and turned away [from the truth], 17 and amass [wealth] and thereupon withhold [it from their fellow-men]. 18 ۞ Verily, man (disbeliever) was created very impatient; 19 Being greatly grieved when evil afflicts him 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 Except the observers of prayer - 22 and continue at their prayers, 23 And those within whose wealth is a known right 24 For the needy and those dispossessed, 25 And those who accept the truth of the judgment day 26 and are fearful of the punishment of their Lord; 27 surely the chastisement of their Lord is a thing none can feel secure from – 28 and guard their private parts 29 Except with their wives and the (women slaves and captives) whom their right hands possess, for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, they are the transgressors. 31 And those who are to their trusts and promises attentive 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 And those who are mindful of their moral obligations. 34 Those shall be in gardens, honored. 35