The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 for the unbelievers, which none may avert, 2 [since it will come] from God, unto whom there are many ways of ascent: 3 To whom the angels and the soul take a day to ascend, whose length is fifty thousand years. 4 But be patient (O Muhammad) with a patience fair to see. 5 They see the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event): 6 but We see it near. 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 and the mountains become like wool, 9 and no bosom friend will enquire about any of his bosom friends 10 though they are in sight of each other. To ransom himself from the punishment of that Day, the sinner will wish that he might even ransom himself by his sons, 11 His wife and his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 and of whoever [else] lives on earth, all of them - so that he could but save himself. 14 By no means! Verily it is a Flame. 15 That would skin the scalp. 16 It shall insistently summon him who turned his back and retreated, 17 and amassed wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Truly man was created very impatient;- 19 When they are afflicted, they complain, 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 Not so, however, those who consciously turn towards God in prayer. 22 and continue at their prayers, 23 They are those who assign a certain share of their property 24 for those that ask and those that are dispossessed, 25 who confirm the Day of Reckoning 26 and go in fear of the punishment of their Lord, 27 Surely no one can be secure from the punishment of his Lord, -- 28 who guard their privates 29 except from their wives and what their right hands own, for these they are not blameworthy. 30 But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors;- 31 (Those) who keep their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who guard their Salat (prayers) well. 34 all these shall live honourably in the Gardens. 35