The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 3 by which the angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in one Day the duration of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). 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 then the mountains shall become like unto wool dyed. 9 And no friend inquires after friend 10 though they are in sight of each other. To ransom himself from the punishment of that Day, the sinner will wish that he might even ransom himself by his sons, 11 and of his spouse, and of his brother, 12 And his kindred who sheltered him, 13 And all those who are on the earth, to save himself. 14 By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell!- 15 A fire that melts the hide. 16 and it shall call him who withdrew and turned his back 17 and who accumulated wealth without spending it for a good purpose. 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 Irritable (discontented) when evil touches him; 20 when good visits him, grudging, 21 Except those who pray, 22 and constant in their prayers. 23 those who give a due share of their wealth 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 who are afraid of the torment of their Lord, 27 surely the chastisement of their Lord is a thing none can feel secure from – 28 And those who guard their sex except from their wives and women slaves of old 29 [not giving way to their desires] with any but their spouses - that is, those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock]: for then, behold, they are free of all blame, 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, then it is those who are trespassers. 31 (Those) who keep their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who guard their Salat (prayers) well. 34 They will be in gardens, honored. 35