The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 [since it will come] from God, unto whom there are many ways of ascent: 3 The angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years, 4 Wherefore be thou patient with a becoming patience. 5 They think that it (the Day of Judgment) is far away. 6 but We see it near. 7 The Day that the sky will be like the boiling filth of oil, (or molten copper or silver or lead, etc.). 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 even intimate friends will not inquire about their friends, 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 And his wife and his brother. 12 and his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, altogether, so that it might save him. 14 Never! That is indeed a blazing fire. 15 stripping away his skin, 16 It shall call him who turneth back and backslideth. 17 and amassed wealth and covetously hoarded it. 18 ۞ Verily man is impatient by nature: 19 Being greatly grieved when evil afflicts him 20 but when good comes upon him, he is grudging 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 and are constant in their Prayer; 23 and those in whose wealth there is a known right 24 For the needy and those dispossessed, 25 and who accept as true the [coming of the] Day of Judgment; 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord, -- 27 the punishment of their Lord is not something for them to feel secure of, 28 and who are mindful of their chastity, 29 except in regard to their spouses and those whom their right hands possess, for in regard to them they are not reproachable, 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, then it is those who are trespassers. 31 And those who are to their trusts and promises attentive 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who keep a guard on their prayer, 34 These will dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35