The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 Upon the infidels -- which none would be able to repel -- 2 From Allah, the Lord of the ways of Ascent. 3 The angels and Jibreel, ascend towards Him – the punishment will befall on a day which spans fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 They think that it (the Day of Judgment) is far away. 6 Whereas We see it impending. 7 The day when the sky will become as molten copper, 8 And the hills will be light as wool. 9 And not a friend shall ask a friend, 10 Though they will be given sight of them. The guilty man will long to be able to ransom himself from the punishment of that day at the price of his children 11 And his spouse and his brother 12 his kin who sheltered him, 13 And whoever is on earth entirely [so] then it could save him. 14 By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell!- 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 calling him who drew back and turned away, 17 Who amasses and then hoards. 18 ۞ Truly man was created very impatient;- 19 bewailing when evil befalls him, 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 Those who are regular in their prayers. 23 those who give a due share of their wealth 24 to those who ask [for help] and to the destitute; 25 who confirm the Day of Reckoning 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord, -- 27 for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure; 28 And those who preserve their chastity 29 Save with their wives and those whom their right hands possess, for thus they are not blameworthy; 30 (but whoso seeks after more than that, they are the transgressors), 31 And those who protect the property entrusted to them, and their agreements. 32 and those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who guard their Salat (prayers) well. 34 Such will be the honoured ones in the Gardens (of Bliss). 35