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 disbelievers, which none can repel, 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit mount up, in a day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 Indeed, they see it [as] distant, 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 On the Day the sky will be like murky oil, 8 and the mountains become like wool, 9 And no familiar friend will ask a question of 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 And his wife and his brother 12 and his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And whoever is on earth entirely [so] then it could save him. 14 By no means! For the raging flames of the fire 15 that will strip off the scalp. 16 It calls out to him who reverted and turned away. 17 and amassed (riches) and hoarded. 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 bewailing when evil befalls him, 20 And when good toucheth him he is begrudging. 21 But not so the worshippers 22 who are constant in prayer; 23 And those in whose riches is a known right. 24 for the needy and the deprived, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgment, 26 And those who are fearful of the punishment of their Lord - 27 Indeed the punishment of their Lord is not a thing to be unafraid of! 28 and who are mindful of their chastity, 29 save from their wives and what their right hands own, then not being blameworthy 30 but any who seeks to go beyond that, it is indeed they who are the transgressors, 31 And those who are to their trusts and promises attentive 32 and those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35