The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
A questioner asked about a Penalty to befall- 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 From Allah, the Lord of the ways of Ascent. 3 (Whereby) the angels and the Spirit ascend unto Him in a Day whereof the span is fifty thousand years. 4 So persevere with becoming patience. 5 They see the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event): 6 While we behold it nigh: 7 On the Day the sky will be like murky oil, 8 And the hills will be light as wool. 9 And no friend will ask after 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 And the family in which he was. 13 And all those who are in the earth – then only if the redemption saves him! 14 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 that will strip off the scalp. 16 It will claim all such as turn their backs [on what is right,] and turn away [from the truth,] 17 And accumulated wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 When evil comes upon him he is impatient; 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 who are steadfast in prayer; 23 And those in whose wealth is a recognised right. 24 For the beggar and the destitute; 25 And those who testify to the Day of Requital. 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's doom - 27 For their Lord's displeasure is the opposite of Peace and Tranquillity;- 28 who guard their privates 29 Are free of blame, 30 (but whoso seeks after more than that, they are the transgressors), 31 And those who respect their trusts and covenants; 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies. 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35