The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 The unbelievers-- there is none to avert it-- 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, 3 The angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him during a Day the extent 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 to be very near. 7 The day when the sky will become as molten copper, 8 And then the mountains shall become like unto wool dyed. 9 and [when] no friend will ask about his friend, 10 though they are in sight of each other. To ransom himself from the punishment of that Day, the sinner will wish that he might even ransom himself by his sons, 11 And his wife and his brother 12 And the family in which he was. 13 and all those on earth. 14 By no means! For the raging flames of the fire 15 tearing away his skin! 16 It shall call him who turneth back and backslideth. 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Surely man was created fretful, 19 Fretful when evil touches him; 20 but when good comes upon him, he is grudging 21 Not so, however, those who consciously turn towards God in prayer. 22 Those who are constant in their prayer 23 In whose wealth a due share is included 24 for the needy and the deprived, 25 who confirm the Day of Reckoning 26 And those who fear the torment of their Lord, 27 Verily! The torment of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure, 28 And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts from illegal sexual acts). 29 Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors;- 31 and who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges: 32 And those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who are attentive at their worship. 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35