The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 To the disbelievers; of it there is no preventer. 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit mount up, in a day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). 5 They surely take it to be far away, 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 The day when the sky will become as molten copper, 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 and no friend will ask about his friend, 10 (Though) they shall be made to see each other. The guilty one would fain redeem himself from the chastisement of that day by (sacrificing) his children, 11 His wife and his brother, 12 And the nearest of his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all who are on the earth; so that this might deliver him. 14 By no means! Surely it is a flaming fire 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 It will claim all such as turn their backs [on what is right,] and turn away [from the truth,] 17 And hoarded (wealth) and withheld it. 18 ۞ VERILY, man is born with a restless disposition. 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he selfishly withholds it [from others]. 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 Those who are constant in their prayer 23 And those in whose wealth is a recognised right. 24 for the beggar and the outcast, 25 those who firmly believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 and go in fear of the chastisement of their Lord 27 Indeed the punishment of their Lord is not a thing to be unafraid of! 28 And those who of their private parts are guards. 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 whosoever seeks beyond that, then it is those who are trespassers. 31 And those who are to their trusts and promises attentive 32 and who stand firm whenever they bear witness; 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 They will live in gardens with honour. 35