The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can avert, 2 From Allah, the Lord of the ways of ascent. 3 by which the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him in one Day which will last for fifty thousand years. 4 (Muhammad), exercise patience with no complaints. 5 They surely take it to be far away, 6 While we behold it nigh: 7 Upon the day when heaven shall be as molten copper 8 and the mountains will become like dyed tufts of wool, 9 And no friend inquires after 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 his companion (wife), his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, altogether, so that it might save him. 14 No! Indeed, it is the Flame [of Hell], 15 tearing away his skin! 16 Calling: "[O Kafir (O disbeliever in Allah, His angels, His Book, His Messengers, Day of Resurrection and in Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments), O Mushrik (O polytheist, disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah)] (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from Faith) [picking and swallowing them up from that great gathering of mankind (on the Day of Resurrection) just as a bird picks up a food-grain from the earth with its beak and swallows it up] [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, Vol. 18, Page 289] 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from spending it in the Cause of Allah). 18 ۞ Surely man was created fretful, 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 when good visits him, grudging, 21 except those that pray 22 and constant in their prayers. 23 They are those who assign a certain share of their property 24 For those who beg, and for the needy who cannot even ask. 25 and who accept as true the [coming of the] Day of Judgment; 26 and go in fear of the punishment of their Lord, 27 Indeed the punishment of their Lord is not a thing to be unafraid of! 28 who guard their carnal desires 29 except from their wives and what their right hands own, for these they are not blameworthy. 30 but whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 who honor their trust and promises, 32 And those who are upright in their testimonies, 33 and who guard their prayers [from all worldly intent]. 34 They will be in gardens, honored. 35