The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
One demanding, demanded the chastisement which must befall 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 (A Penalty) from Allah, Lord of the Ways of Ascent. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit mount up, in a day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 So be patient (O Muhammad SAW), with a good patience. 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 but We see it is nigh. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the heaven shall become like unto dregs of oil. 8 The mountains like the tufts of (carded) wool, 9 no loyal friend shall question loyal friend, 10 though they shall be within sight of each other. The guilty one will gladly ransom himself from the torment of that Day by sacrificing his own children, 11 And his wife and his brother 12 And the family in which he was. 13 And all those who are in the earth – then only if the redemption saves him! 14 By no means! For the raging flames of the fire 15 Taking away (burning completely) the head skin! 16 It shall call him who turneth back and backslideth. 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Surely man is created of a hasty temperament 19 when misfortune touches him he starts lamenting, 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 Not so, however, those who consciously turn towards God in prayer. 22 Those who are constant at their prayer 23 And those within whose wealth is a known right 24 For him who begs and for him who is denied (good) 25 and who accept as true the [coming of the] Day of Judgment; 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's doom - 27 for none is secure from the punishment of their Lord, 28 who guard their carnal desires 29 Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 but those who go beyond that limit are transgressors; 31 And those who keep their pledges 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 Those shall be in gardens, honored. 35