The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 The unbelievers-- there is none to avert it-- 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, 3 To Him ascend the angels and the Spirit in a day the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 So persevere with becoming patience. 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 On the day when the heavens become like molten metal. 8 The mountains like the tufts of (carded) wool, 9 and no friend will ask about his friend, 10 They will be seeing them; the guilty will wish if only he could redeem himself from the punishment of that day, by offering his sons. 11 And his wife and his brother 12 And his kin that harboured him 13 And all that are in the earth, so that it might save him. 14 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 A fire that melts the hide. 16 It shall insistently summon him who turned his back and retreated, 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 If evil befalls him he is perturbed; 20 And when good toucheth him he is begrudging. 21 save those that pray 22 Those who are regular in their prayers. 23 And in whose wealth there is a right acknowledged 24 For him who begs and for him who is denied (good) 25 and those who believe in the Day of Judgement 26 And those who fear the torment of their Lord, 27 Indeed, the punishment of their Lord is not that from which one is safe - 28 And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts from illegal sexual acts). 29 except from their spouses and those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock], for which they incur no blame -- 30 but any who seeks to go beyond that, it is indeed they who are the transgressors, 31 And those who fulfil their trusts and covenants, 32 Who uphold their testimonies, 33 And those who protect their prayers. 34 Those shall be in Gardens, high-honoured. 35