The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
A beseecher besought the visitation of chastisement, 1 The unbelievers-- there is none to avert it-- 2 From Allah, the Lord of the ways of Ascent. 3 by which the angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in one Day the duration of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore patiently endure, in the best manner (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him). 5 Verily they behold it afar off. 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 Upon the day when heaven shall be as molten copper 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 And no friend inquires after friend 10 though they may see each other. A sinner will wish that he could save himself from the torment of that day by sacrificing his children, 11 And his wife and his brother, 12 His kindred who sheltered him, 13 and of whoever [else] lives on earth, all of them - so that he could but save himself. 14 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 stripping away his skin, 16 Calling: "[O Kafir (O disbeliever in Allah, His angels, His Book, His Messengers, Day of Resurrection and in Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments), O Mushrik (O polytheist, disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah)] (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from Faith) [picking and swallowing them up from that great gathering of mankind (on the Day of Resurrection) just as a bird picks up a food-grain from the earth with its beak and swallows it up] [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, Vol. 18, Page 289] 17 and amassed wealth and covetously hoarded it. 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 And niggardly when good reaches him;- 21 Not so, however, those who consciously turn towards God in prayer. 22 and continue at their prayers, 23 In whose wealth a due share is included 24 For the beggar and the destitute; 25 who confirm the Day of Doom 26 and fear the chastisement of their Lord – 27 Surely the chastisement of their Lord is (a thing) not to be felt secure of-- 28 and who are mindful of their chastity, 29 [not giving way to their desires] with any but their spouses - that is, those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock]: for then, behold, they are free of all blame, 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, then it is those who are trespassers. 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 and those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who protect their prayers. 34 Those shall dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35