The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, 3 Whereby the angels ascend unto Him and also the spirit, On a Day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 Lo! they behold it afar off 6 but, We see it as near! 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the heaven shall become like unto dregs of oil. 8 And the hills will be light as wool. 9 And friend shall not ask of 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 his wife, his brother, 12 And the nearest of his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all that are in the earth, so that it might save him. 14 By no means! For the raging flames of the fire 15 Dragging by the head, 16 and it shall call him who withdrew and turned his back 17 and amassed (riches) and hoarded. 18 ۞ Surely man was created fretful, 19 When evil toucheth him, he is bewailing. 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 except those who are steadfast 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 And those in whose riches is a known right. 24 For the beggar and the destitute; 25 And those who testify to the Day of Requital. 26 and fear the chastisement of their Lord – 27 for none is secure from the punishment of their Lord, 28 who guard their privates 29 Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, they are the transgressors. 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 and who take due care of their Prayer: 34 Such will be the honoured ones in the Gardens (of Bliss). 35