The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 which will inevitably seize the disbelievers. 2 (A Penalty) from Allah, Lord 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 Therefore, [O believers] behave with seemly patience. 5 behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away 6 but We see it near. 7 Upon the day when heaven shall be as molten copper 8 and the mountains will become like tufts of wool, 9 and no bosom friend will enquire about any of his bosom friends 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 His wife and his brother, 12 His kindred who sheltered him, 13 And all those that are in the earth, (wishing) then (that) this might deliver him. 14 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 that will strip off the scalp. 16 It calleth him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 and amass [wealth] and thereupon withhold [it from their fellow-men]. 18 ۞ Indeed, the human was created grudging and impatient. 19 When they are afflicted, they complain, 20 And niggardly when good befalls him 21 Except those devoted to Salat (prayers) 22 who are constant in prayer; 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 for the impoverished nonrequester and the requester, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgment, 26 and go in fear of the chastisement of their Lord 27 for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure; 28 who guard their carnal desires 29 Are free of blame, 30 So those who desire more than this – it is they who are the transgressors. 31 and those who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges; 32 And those who are firm upon their testimonies. 33 And those who guard their Salat (prayers) well. 34 It is these who will be honoured in Gardens. 35