The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- 2 [since it will come] from God, unto whom there are many ways of ascent: 3 Whereby the angels ascend unto Him and also the spirit, On a Day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 So be patient with gracious patience. 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 while We think that it is near at hand. 7 The day when the sky will become as molten copper, 8 And the hills will be light as wool. 9 And friend shall not ask of friend 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 and his spouse and his brother, 12 And the nearest of his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all who are on the earth; so that this might deliver him. 14 Nay, verily it is a furnace 15 A fire that melts the hide. 16 It will claim all such as turn their backs [on what is right,] and turn away [from the truth,] 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Surely man is created of a hasty temperament 19 Fretful when evil touches him; 20 If good comes to him he holds back his hand, 21 Except those who pray, 22 Who persevere in devotion, 23 And those in whose wealth is a recognised right. 24 for the needy and the deprived, 25 who acknowledge the Day of Judgment, 26 And those who are fearful of the chastisement of their Lord-- 27 Lo! the doom of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure - 28 those who preserve their chastity 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 who take due care of their Prayer: 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35