The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
A supplicant asked for a punishment bound to happen 1 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 by which the angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in one Day the duration of which is fifty thousand years. 4 So be patient with gracious patience. 5 They deem it to be remote. 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 On the day when the heaven shall be as molten copper 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 and no friend will ask about his friend, 10 although they shall be within sight of one another. The guilty one would fain ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his children, 11 his wife, his brother, 12 And his family who had stood by him, 13 And all those that are in the earth, (wishing) then (that) this might deliver him. 14 By no means! Surely it is a flaming fire 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 It shall insistently summon him who turned his back and retreated, 17 And amasses (wealth) then shuts it up. 18 ۞ Truly man was created very impatient;- 19 bewailing when evil befalls him, 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 Who persevere in devotion, 23 And those in whose riches is a known right. 24 for the needy and the deprived, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense 26 And those who fear the torment of their Lord, 27 surely the chastisement of their Lord is a thing none can feel secure from – 28 And those who protect their private organs (from adultery). 29 except from their spouses and those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock], for which they incur no blame -- 30 but those who go beyond that limit are transgressors; 31 And those who keep their trusts and covenants; 32 And those who are in their testimonies upright 33 And those who keep a guard on their prayer, 34 They will be in gardens, honored. 35