The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Someone has (needlessly) demanded to experience the torment (of God), 1 which will inevitably seize the disbelievers. 2 from God, the Lord of the Stairways. 3 To Him ascend the angels and the Spirit in a day the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 So be patient with gracious patience. 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 But We see it [as] near. 7 The Day that the sky will be like the boiling filth of oil, (or molten copper or silver or lead, etc.). 8 and the mountains will become like dyed tufts of wool, 9 And no familiar friend will ask a question of his friend 10 Though they shall be made to see one another [(i.e. on the Day of Resurrection), there will be none but see his father, children and relatives, but he will neither speak to them nor will ask them for any help)], - the Mujrim, (criminal, sinner, disbeliever, etc.) would desire to ransom himself from the punishment of that Day by his children. 11 and his spouse and his brother, 12 his kin who sheltered him, 13 and of whoever [else] lives on earth, all of them - so that he could but save himself. 14 But no! There is a raging blaze 15 that will strip off the scalp. 16 It will summon whoever turns his back and flees, 17 Who amasses and then hoards. 18 ۞ Indeed, mankind was created anxious: 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 and constant in their prayers. 23 who, from their wealth is a known right 24 For the needy and those dispossessed, 25 And those who believe the Day of Judgement to be true. 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's doom - 27 Verily the torment of their Lord is not a thing to feel secure from. 28 And those who guard their private parts, 29 except from their wives and slave girls, in which case they are not to be blamed, 30 whereas such as seek to go beyond that [limit] are truly transgressors; 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 and who guard their prayers [from all worldly intent]. 34 These will dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35