The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can avert, 2 From Allah, the Lord of the ways of ascent. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 So, (O Prophet), persevere with gracious perseverance. 5 They see the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event): 6 but We see it is nigh. 7 On the Day the sky will be like murky oil, 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 and no bosom friend will enquire about any of his bosom friends 10 Though they shall be made to see one another [(i.e. on the Day of Resurrection), there will be none but see his father, children and relatives, but he will neither speak to them nor will ask them for any help)], - the Mujrim, (criminal, sinner, disbeliever, etc.) would desire to ransom himself from the punishment of that Day by his children. 11 His wife and his brother, 12 And the family in which he was. 13 and whosoever is in the earth, all together, so that then it might deliver him. 14 No, in truth, it is a Furnace! 15 tearing away his skin! 16 It will claim all such as turn their backs [on what is right,] and turn away [from the truth,] 17 And accumulated wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Indeed, man is born impatient: 19 Irritable (discontented) when evil touches him; 20 If good comes to him he holds back his hand, 21 save those that pray 22 and continue at their prayers, 23 They are those who assign a certain share of their property 24 for the impoverished nonrequester and the requester, 25 who confirm the Day of Reckoning 26 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 27 Verily the torment of their Lord is not a thing to feel secure from. 28 And those who protect their private organs (from adultery). 29 [not giving way to their desires] with any but their spouses - that is, those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock]: for then, behold, they are free of all blame, 30 whereas such as seek to go beyond that [limit] are truly transgressors; 31 And those who keep their trusts and covenants; 32 And those who stand by their testimony 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 all these shall live honourably in the Gardens. 35