The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 which will inevitably seize the disbelievers. 2 From Allah, Owner of the ascending steps. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore endure with a goodly patience. 5 behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away 6 but We see it near at hand. 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 And the hills will be light as wool. 9 and no bosom friend will enquire about any of his bosom friends 10 They will be shown each other. The criminal will wish that he could be ransomed from the punishment of that Day by his children 11 and his spouse and his brother, 12 and of all the kinsfolk who ever sheltered him, 13 And whoever is on earth entirely [so] then it could save him. 14 Nay, verily it is a furnace 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 collect (wealth) and hide it (from spending it in the Cause of Allah). 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 Fretful when evil touches him; 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 Except the observers of prayer - 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 In whose wealth a due share is included 24 For the beggar who asks, and for the unlucky who has lost his property and wealth, (and his means of living has been straitened); 25 And those who accept the truth of the judgment day 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's doom - 27 surely the chastisement of their Lord is a thing none can feel secure from – 28 who guard their carnal desires 29 except in regard to their spouses and those whom their right hands possess, for in regard to them they are not reproachable, 30 But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors;- 31 And those who fulfil their trusts and covenants, 32 And those who are upright in their testimonies, 33 and who observe their prayers. 34 They will be in gardens, honored. 35