The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
One demanding, demanded the chastisement which must befall 1 The unbelievers-- there is none to avert it-- 2 (A Penalty) from Allah, Lord of the Ways of Ascent. 3 To Him ascend the angels and the Spirit in a day the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore, [O believers] behave with seemly patience. 5 They deem it to be remote. 6 But We see it (quite) 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 become like wool, 9 And no friend will ask concerning his friend. 10 They will be seeing them; the guilty will wish if only he could redeem himself from the punishment of that day, by offering his sons. 11 His wife and his brother, 12 His kindred who sheltered him, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, all together, so that then it might deliver him. 14 By no means! Surely it is a flaming fire 15 Dragging by the head, 16 It shall claim him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 And amasses (wealth) then shuts it up. 18 ۞ Surely man is created of a hasty temperament 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 And when good touches him, withholding [of it], 21 Except those who establish prayer. 22 and are constant in their Prayer; 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 For the beggar who asks, and for the unlucky who has lost his property and wealth, (and his means of living has been straitened); 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord. 27 Verily the torment of their Lord is not a thing to feel secure from. 28 who guard their privates 29 Except in the case of their wives or those whom their right hands possess-- for these surely are not to be blamed, 30 but those who go beyond that limit are transgressors; 31 And those who keep their pledges and their covenant, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who guard (the sacredness) of their worship;- 34 Such shall dwell in the Gardens (i.e. Paradise) honoured. 35