The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 those who deny the truth. [Know, then, that] nothing can ward it off, 2 From Allah, the Lord of all pinnacles. 3 The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: 4 So be thou patient with a sweet patience; 5 They see it [the Day of Judgement] to be far off, 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the heaven shall become like unto dregs of oil. 8 and the mountains shall be as plucked wool-tufts, 9 no loyal friend shall question loyal 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 and his brother, 12 And his kin that harboured him 13 And whoever is on earth entirely [so] then it could save him. 14 By no means! Verily, it will be the Fire of Hell! 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 and it shall call him who withdrew and turned his back 17 who amassed and hoarded. 18 ۞ Lo! man was created anxious, 19 when evil visits him, impatient, 20 And, when good befalleth him, grudging; 21 Except those who pray, 22 who are constant in prayer; 23 And those in whose wealth there is a known right, 24 For the needy and those dispossessed, 25 And those who hold to the truth of the Day of Judgment; 26 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 27 (from their Lord's chastisement none feels secure) 28 And those who guard their sex except from their wives and women slaves of old 29 Except with their wives and the bondwomen in their possession, for there is no reproach on them. 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, they are the transgressors. 31 and who preserve their trusts and their covenant, 32 Who uphold their testimonies, 33 and who take due care of their Prayer: 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35