The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 The infidels, of which there is no averter. 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit mount up, in a day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore be patient, with a beautiful patience; 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 Whereas We see it impending. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the heaven shall become like unto dregs of oil. 8 And the mountains shall be as tufts of wool 9 and no friend will ask about his friend, 10 Though within sight of one another. The sinner would like to ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his sons, 11 His wife and his brother, 12 And his kin that sheltered him. 13 And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: 14 Never! That is indeed a blazing fire. 15 will strip-off the flesh 16 It calleth him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 and who accumulated wealth without spending it for a good purpose. 18 ۞ Indeed man is created very impatient, greedy. 19 Fretful when evil befalleth him 20 And, when good befalleth him, grudging; 21 except those who are steadfast 22 and are constant in their Prayer; 23 And those in whose wealth there is a known right, 24 for the needy and the deprived, 25 and who accept as true the [coming of the] Day of Judgment; 26 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 27 Verily! The torment of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure, 28 those who preserve their chastity 29 except from their spouses and those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock], for which they incur no blame -- 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, then it is those who are trespassers. 31 And those who are to their trusts and promises attentive 32 and perform their witnessings, 33 And those who protect their prayers. 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35