The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
There hath asked an asker for the torment about to befall. 1 the unbelievers which none can prevent. 2 From Allah, the Lord of all pinnacles. 3 all the angels and all the inspiration [ever granted to man] ascend unto Him [daily,] in a day the length whereof is [like] fifty thousand years… 4 (Muhammad), exercise patience with no complaints. 5 They see it [the Day of Judgement] to be far off, 6 And We see it nigh. 7 On the Day the sky will be like murky oil, 8 and the mountains shall be like puffs of wool. 9 And no friend will ask of a friend, 10 (Though) they shall be made to see each other. The guilty one would fain redeem himself from the chastisement of that day by (sacrificing) his children, 11 his companion (wife), his brother, 12 And his family who had stood by him, 13 and all persons of the earth, if only he could thus save himself. 14 Nay, verily it is a furnace 15 that will strip off the scalp. 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 amassed (riches) and hoarded. 18 ۞ Lo! man was created anxious, 19 When they are afflicted, they complain, 20 And niggardly when good reaches him;- 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 Who persevere in devotion, 23 who, from their wealth is a known right 24 For him who begs and for him who is denied (good) 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgement, 26 and are fearful of the punishment of their Lord; 27 (from their Lord's chastisement none feels secure) 28 and who are mindful of their chastity, 29 Except with their wives and the bondwomen in their possession, for there is no reproach on them. 30 But whoever seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors - 31 And those who are to their trusts and promises attentive 32 And those who are firm upon their testimonies. 33 and are steadfast in their prayers. 34 all these shall live honourably in the Gardens. 35