The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
There hath asked an asker for the torment about to befall. 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 The angels and Jibreel, ascend towards Him – the punishment will befall on a day which spans fifty thousand years. 4 (Muhammad), exercise patience with no complaints. 5 They surely take it to be far away, 6 but We see it is nigh. 7 The Day that the sky will be like molten brass, 8 and the mountains will be like tufts of wool, 9 even intimate friends will not inquire about their friends, 10 They will be shown each other. The criminal will wish that he could be ransomed from the punishment of that Day by his children 11 And his wife and his brother. 12 his kinsmen who gave him refuge (from hardship) 13 and all persons of the earth, if only he could thus save himself. 14 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 A fire that melts the hide. 16 It shall claim him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 and amass [wealth] and thereupon withhold [it from their fellow-men]. 18 ۞ Indeed, man is born impatient: 19 Very nervous when touched by misfortune. 20 If good comes to him he holds back his hand, 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 Those who are regular in their prayers. 23 And those in whose wealth there is a fixed portion. 24 for those that ask and those that are dispossessed, 25 And those who believe the Day of Judgement to be true. 26 and go in fear of the chastisement of their Lord 27 Indeed, the punishment of their Lord is not that from which one is safe - 28 who guard their privates 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 And whosoever seeketh beyond that, then it is those who are the trespassers 31 and those who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges; 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 and who observe their prayers. 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35