The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 The angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years, 4 Therefore endure with a goodly patience. 5 Verily they behold it afar off. 6 but, We see it as near! 7 The Day that the sky will be like molten brass, 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 and no friend will ask about his friend, 10 Though they shall be made to see one another. Fain would the guilty ransom himself from the torment of that Day by his children. 11 And his wife and his brother, 12 his kinsmen who gave him refuge (from hardship) 13 And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: 14 But nay! Verily, all [that awaits him] is a raging flame, 15 Taking away (burning completely) the head skin! 16 and drag into it anyone who has turned away (from obeying God), 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ VERILY, man is born with a restless disposition. 19 If evil befalls him he is perturbed; 20 And niggardly when good touches him; 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 Who are constant at their worship 23 who, from their wealth is a known right 24 For the petitioner and the deprived - 25 who confirm the Day of Reckoning 26 And those who fear the torment of their Lord, 27 Verily! The torment of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure, 28 And those who guard their sex except from their wives and women slaves of old 29 Except in the case of their wives or those whom their right hands possess-- for these surely are not to be blamed, 30 So those who desire more than this – it is they who are the transgressors. 31 who honor their trust and promises, 32 and perform their witnessings, 33 And those who are mindful of their moral obligations. 34 all these shall live honourably in the Gardens. 35