The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 The unbelievers-- there is none to avert it-- 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: 4 Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 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 inquires after friend 10 though they shall be within sight of each other. The guilty one will gladly ransom himself from the torment of that Day by sacrificing his own children, 11 And his wife and his brother 12 And the nearest of his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, all together, so that then it might deliver him. 14 By no means! For the raging flames of the fire 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 It will summon whoever turns his back and flees, 17 And amasses (wealth) then shuts it up. 18 ۞ Lo! man was created anxious, 19 when evil visits him, impatient, 20 And when good touches him, withholding [of it], 21 except those who are steadfast 22 Those who are regular in their prayers. 23 And in whose wealth there is a right acknowledged 24 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 and go in fear of the chastisement of their Lord 27 For their Lord's displeasure is the opposite of Peace and Tranquillity;- 28 those who preserve their chastity 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 But whoever seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors - 31 And those who fulfil their trusts and covenants, 32 and those who stand by their testimony 33 and who observe their prayers. 34 They will be honoured in the Gardens of Bliss. 35