The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 which will inevitably seize the disbelievers. 2 from God, the Lord of the Stairways. 3 (Whereby) the angels and the Spirit ascend unto Him in a Day whereof the span is fifty thousand years. 4 So be thou patient with a sweet patience; 5 Indeed, they see it [as] distant, 6 while We think that it is near at hand. 7 The day the sky becomes like molten brass, 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 will be put in sight of each other,- the sinner's desire will be: Would that he could redeem himself from the Penalty of that Day by (sacrificing) his children, 11 And his wife and his brother. 12 And the family in which he was. 13 And whoever is on earth entirely [so] then it could save him. 14 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 Inviting (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from the Right). 17 and amassed wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ VERILY, man is born with a restless disposition. 19 When they are afflicted, they complain, 20 when good visits him, grudging, 21 Except those who establish prayer. 22 Those who remain constant in their Salat (prayers); 23 And those within whose wealth is a known right 24 for those that ask and those that are dispossessed, 25 and who accept as true the [coming of the] Day of Judgment; 26 and fear the chastisement of their Lord – 27 Indeed the punishment of their Lord is not a thing to be unafraid of! 28 who guard their privates 29 Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they are not to be blamed - 30 whereas such as seek to go beyond that [limit] are truly transgressors; 31 And those who fulfil their trusts and covenants, 32 and who stand firm whenever they bear witness; 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 Those shall be in Gardens, high-honoured. 35