The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
A caller supplicated about a punishment to fall on 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, 3 On that Day (of Judgment), long as fifty thousand years, the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him. 4 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 They see the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event): 6 While we behold it nigh: 7 On the day when the heavens become like molten metal. 8 And the mountains shall be as tufts of wool 9 And no friend inquires after 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 And his wife and his brother 12 and of all the kinsfolk who ever sheltered him, 13 And all those who are on the earth, to save himself. 14 By no means! For the raging flames of the fire 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 It calls out to him who reverted and turned away. 17 and amassed wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 And when good touches him, withholding [of it], 21 Not so, however, those who consciously turn towards God in prayer. 22 Those who are regular in their prayers. 23 And in whose wealth there is a right acknowledged 24 For those who beg, and for the needy who cannot even ask. 25 who acknowledge the Day of Judgment, 26 And those who are fearful of 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 with their wives and the bondwomen in their possession, for there is no reproach on them. 30 But those who seek more than this will be transgressors; 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 and perform their witnessings, 33 And those who protect their prayers. 34 Those are highly honored in the Gardens. 35