The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
One demanding, demanded the chastisement which must befall 1 for the unbelievers, which none may avert, 2 From Allah, the Lord of all pinnacles. 3 all the angels and all the inspiration [ever granted to man] ascend unto Him [daily,] in a day the length whereof is [like] fifty thousand years… 4 So be thou patient with a sweet patience; 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 And We see it nigh. 7 The day when the sky will be like molten silver. 8 and the mountains will be like tufts of wool, 9 and [when] 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 companion (wife), his brother, 12 His kindred who sheltered him, 13 And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: 14 But nay! Verily, all [that awaits him] is a raging flame, 15 that will strip off the scalp. 16 It calleth him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 And masseth and then hoardeth. 18 ۞ Verily man is impatient by nature: 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 And when good touches him, withholding [of it], 21 Except those who pray, 22 Who are constant at their worship 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 24 For the petitioner and the deprived - 25 who acknowledge the Day of Judgment, 26 and fear the chastisement of their Lord – 27 for none may ever feel secure from the punishment of their Lord; 28 who guard their carnal desires 29 except from their wives and slave girls, in which case they are not to be blamed, 30 But whoso seeketh more than that, those are they who are transgressors; 31 (Those) who keep their trusts and their covenant, 32 who testify to what they have witnessed, 33 and who observe their prayers. 34 They will be in gardens, honored. 35