The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can avert, 2 From Allah, the Lord of the ways of Ascent. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit mount up, in a day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 (Muhammad), exercise patience with no complaints. 5 They surely take it to be far away, 6 but We see it to be very near. 7 On the day when the heaven shall be as molten copper 8 and the mountains will be like tufts of wool, 9 And no familiar friend will ask a question of his friend 10 though they may be in one another's sight: [for,] everyone who was lost in sin will on that Day but desire to ransom himself from suffering at the price of his own children, 11 And his wife and his brother 12 And the nearest of his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all that are in the earth, if then it might deliver him. 14 Never! That is indeed a blazing fire. 15 Flaying off the scalp-skin. 16 It will summon whoever turns his back and flees, 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from use)! 18 ۞ Indeed, mankind was created anxious: 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 Not so, however, those who consciously turn towards God in prayer. 22 who are steadfast in prayer; 23 who, from their wealth is a known right 24 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); 25 And those who hold to the truth of the Day of Judgment; 26 who are afraid of the torment of their Lord, 27 for none may ever feel secure from the punishment of their Lord; 28 those who preserve their chastity 29 Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they are not to be blamed - 30 but those who go beyond that limit are transgressors; 31 And those who fulfil their trusts and covenants, 32 and standby their witnessing, 33 And those who are attentive at their worship. 34 Those shall be in Gardens, high-honoured. 35