The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
A supplicant asked for a punishment bound to happen 1 those who deny the truth. [Know, then, that] nothing can ward it off, 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 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 surely take it to be far away, 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 Upon the day when heaven shall be as molten copper 8 and the mountains become like wool, 9 even intimate friends will not inquire about their friends, 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 kin that sheltered him. 13 and all persons of the earth, if only he could thus save himself. 14 Nay, verily it is a furnace 15 Plucking out (his being) right to the skull!- 16 It shall call him who turneth back and backslideth. 17 and amass [wealth] and thereupon withhold [it from their fellow-men]. 18 ۞ Verily man is impatient by nature: 19 bewailing when evil befalls him, 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he selfishly withholds it [from others]. 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 Those who remain constant in their Salat (prayers); 23 who, from their wealth is a known right 24 for such as ask [for help] and such as are deprived [of what is good in life]; 25 who confirm the Day of Doom 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's doom - 27 the punishment of their Lord is not something for them to feel secure of, 28 And those who protect their private organs (from adultery). 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 seek more than this will be transgressors; 31 And those who keep their trusts and covenants; 32 And those who are upright in their testimonies, 33 And those who guard (the sacredness) of their worship;- 34 Those are highly honored in the Gardens. 35