The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 To the disbelievers; of it there is no preventer. 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 The angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him during a Day the extent of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 They surely take it to be far away, 6 while We think that it is near at hand. 7 The day when the sky will become as molten copper, 8 And the mountains will be like flakes of wool, 9 And no friend will ask concerning his 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 His kindred who sheltered him, 13 And all that are in the earth, if then it might deliver him. 14 By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell!- 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 It shall insistently summon him who turned his back and retreated, 17 And accumulated wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Verily man is impatient by nature: 19 Very nervous when touched by misfortune. 20 And niggardly when good reaches him;- 21 except those who are steadfast 22 Those who are constant in their prayer 23 And those in whose wealth is a recognised right. 24 to those who ask [for help] and to the destitute; 25 And those who hold to the truth of the Day of Judgment; 26 and go in fear of the chastisement of their Lord 27 Verily! The torment of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure, 28 who guard their privates 29 Except with their wives and the bondwomen in their possession, for there is no reproach on them. 30 But he who seeks to go beyond this, these it is that go beyond the limits-- 31 And those who respect their trusts and covenants; 32 And those who are in their testimonies upright 33 And those who of their prayer are observant. 34 Those are highly honored in the Gardens. 35