The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 From Allah, the Lord of all pinnacles. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 So, (O Prophet), persevere with gracious perseverance. 5 Verily they behold it afar off. 6 But We see it very near. 7 On the day when the heavens become like molten metal. 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 and no bosom friend will enquire about any of his bosom friends 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 the kinsmen who gave him shelter, 13 and all the people of the earth, if that could deliver him. 14 By no means! Surely it is a flaming fire 15 That would skin the scalp. 16 and it will claim all those who turned their backs [on the true faith] and turned away [from the truth], 17 and amassed wealth and covetously hoarded it. 18 ۞ Indeed, mankind was created anxious: 19 Fretful when evil befalleth him 20 If good comes to him he holds back his hand, 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 Those who are regular in their prayers. 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 24 For the needy and those dispossessed, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 and go in fear of the chastisement of their Lord 27 Surely no one can be secure from the punishment of his Lord, -- 28 And those who guard their sex except from their wives and women slaves of old 29 save from their wives and what their right hands own, then not being blameworthy 30 but whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 and who are constant in their prayers. 34 Those shall be in gardens, honored. 35