The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can avert, 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, 3 The angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him during a Day the extent of which is fifty thousand years. 4 So be thou patient with a sweet patience; 5 behold, they see it as if far off; 6 but We see it is nigh. 7 On the Day the sky will be like murky oil, 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 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 His wife and his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 And all that are in the earth, if then it might deliver him. 14 By no means! Surely it is a flaming fire 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 It calls out to him who reverted and turned away. 17 And amasses (wealth) then shuts it up. 18 ۞ Indeed, mankind was created anxious: 19 When they are afflicted, they complain, 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he grows niggardly. 21 But not so the worshippers 22 and are constant in their Prayer; 23 In whose wealth a due share is included 24 For the beggar and the destitute. 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense 26 and go in fear of the punishment of their Lord, 27 surely the chastisement of their Lord is a thing none can feel secure from – 28 and guard their private parts 29 except in regard to their spouses and those whom their right hands possess, for in regard to them they are not reproachable, 30 So those who desire more than this – it is they who are the transgressors. 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who protect their prayers. 34 Those are highly honored in the Gardens. 35