The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
A caller supplicated about a punishment to fall on 1 those who deny the truth. [Know, then, that] nothing can ward it off, 2 [It is] from Allah, owner of the ways of ascent. 3 The angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years, 4 But be patient (O Muhammad) with a patience fair to see. 5 They see the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event): 6 But We see it [as] near. 7 The day when the sky will be like molten silver. 8 And the hills will be light as wool. 9 and [when] 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 companion (wife), his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, all together, so that then it might deliver him. 14 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 snatching away the scalp, 16 It shall insistently summon him who turned his back and retreated, 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from spending it in the Cause of Allah). 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 Very nervous when touched by misfortune. 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he selfishly withholds it [from others]. 21 Not so, however, those who consciously turn towards God in prayer. 22 who are constant in prayer; 23 In whose wealth a due share is included 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 Judgment, 26 And those who are fearful of the chastisement of their Lord-- 27 for none may ever feel secure from the punishment of their Lord; 28 and who are mindful of their chastity, 29 Are free of blame, 30 But whoso seeketh more than that, those are they who are transgressors; 31 and who preserve their trusts and their covenant, 32 and those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who keep a guard on their prayer, 34 Such shall dwell in the Gardens (i.e. Paradise) honoured. 35