The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
A supplicant asked for a punishment bound to happen 1 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 (Whereby) the angels and the Spirit ascend unto Him in a Day whereof the span is fifty thousand years. 4 So, (O Prophet), persevere with gracious perseverance. 5 behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away 6 but We see it to be very near. 7 On the Day the sky will be like murky oil, 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 And no friend will ask concerning his friend. 10 though they may see each other. A sinner will wish that he could save himself from the torment of that day by sacrificing his children, 11 his wife, his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 and of whoever [else] lives on earth, all of them - so that he could but save himself. 14 By no means! Verily it is a Flame. 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 It shall claim him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from spending it in the Cause of Allah). 18 ۞ Surely man was created fretful, 19 When evil toucheth him, he is bewailing. 20 but when good comes upon him, he is grudging 21 Except the observers of prayer - 22 Who are constant at their worship 23 those who give a due share of their wealth 24 For the petitioner and the deprived - 25 who confirm the Day of Doom 26 and who stand in dread of their Sustainer's chastisement 27 Surely the chastisement of their Lord is (a thing) not to be felt secure of-- 28 and guard their private parts 29 Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they are not to be blamed - 30 But he who seeks to go beyond this, these it is that go beyond the limits-- 31 And those who protect the property entrusted to them, and their agreements. 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who protect their prayers. 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35