The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
One demanding, demanded the chastisement which must befall 1 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 3 all the angels and all the inspiration [ever granted to man] ascend unto Him [daily,] in a day the length whereof is [like] fifty thousand years… 4 Therefore endure with a goodly patience. 5 They see the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event): 6 Whereas We see it impending. 7 The day when the sky will become as molten copper, 8 And the mountains will be like flakes of wool, 9 And no friend will ask of a friend, 10 They will be seeing them; the guilty will wish if only he could redeem himself from the punishment of that day, by offering his sons. 11 And his wife and his brother 12 His kindred who sheltered him, 13 And all those who are on the earth, to save himself. 14 By no means! It will be the fierce flame 15 snatching away the scalp, 16 and it shall call him who withdrew and turned his back 17 And masseth and then hoardeth. 18 ۞ Indeed, the human was created grudging and impatient. 19 When evil comes upon him he is impatient; 20 And when good toucheth him he is begrudging. 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 [and] who incessantly persevere in their prayer 23 And those within whose wealth is a known right 24 to those who ask [for help] and to the destitute; 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgement, 26 and who stand in dread of their Sustainer's chastisement 27 Indeed the punishment of their Lord is not a thing to be unafraid of! 28 and those who guard their private parts, 29 except from their wives and what their right hands own, for these they are not blameworthy. 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, they are the transgressors. 31 And those who are faithful to their trusts and their covenant 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies. 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 all these shall live honourably in the Gardens. 35