The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 Upon the infidels -- which none would be able to repel -- 2 from God, the Lord of the Stairways. 3 The angels and Jibreel, ascend towards Him – the punishment will befall on a day which spans fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). 5 They think that it (the Day of Judgment) is far away. 6 but We see it to be very near. 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 And the hills will be light as wool. 9 no loyal friend shall question loyal friend, 10 Though they shall be made to see one another. Fain would the guilty ransom himself from the torment of that Day by his children. 11 his companion (wife), his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all those that are in the earth, (wishing) then (that) this might deliver him. 14 By no means! For the raging flames of the fire 15 that will strip off the scalp. 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 amass [wealth] and thereupon withhold [it from their fellow-men]. 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 Irritable (discontented) when evil touches him; 20 And, when good befalleth him, grudging; 21 except those who are steadfast 22 Who are at their prayer constant. 23 In whose wealth a due share is included 24 For the petitioner and the deprived - 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgement, 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's torment 27 For their Lord's displeasure is the opposite of Peace and Tranquillity;- 28 who guard their privates 29 Except with their wives and the (women slaves and captives) whom their right hands possess, for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 but whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 (Those) who keep their trusts and their covenant, 32 Who uphold their testimonies, 33 And those who guard (the sacredness) of their worship;- 34 These will dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35