The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 No one can defend him against God, the Lord of the exalted positions. 3 The angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him during a Day the extent of which is fifty thousand years. 4 So, (O Prophet), persevere with gracious perseverance. 5 Verily they behold it afar off. 6 while We think that it is near at hand. 7 Upon the day when heaven shall be as molten copper 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 And no friend will ask after a friend, 10 although they shall be within sight of one another. The guilty one would fain ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his children, 11 And his wife and his brother 12 his kinsmen who gave him refuge (from hardship) 13 And all that are in the earth, if then it might deliver him. 14 Never! That is indeed a blazing fire. 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 It will summon whoever turns his back and flees, 17 Who amasses and then hoards. 18 ۞ Indeed, the human was created grudging and impatient. 19 Fretful when evil touches him; 20 And when good toucheth him he is begrudging. 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 Those who are constant in 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 who confirm the Day of Doom 26 and who stand in dread of their Sustainer's chastisement 27 Verily the torment of their Lord is not a thing to feel secure from. 28 And those who guard their private parts, 29 Except in the case of their wives or those whom their right hands possess-- for these surely are not to be blamed, 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, they are the transgressors. 31 and those who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges; 32 and those who stand by their testimony 33 and who take due care of their Prayer: 34 all these shall live honourably in the Gardens. 35