The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can repel, 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 On that Day (of Judgment), long as fifty thousand years, the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him. 4 Therefore be patient, with a beautiful patience; 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 But We see it [as] near. 7 On the day when the heaven shall be as molten copper 8 And the mountains will be like flakes of wool, 9 And friend shall not ask of friend 10 Though within sight of one another. The sinner would like to ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his sons, 11 And his wife and his brother 12 and his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 and all those on earth. 14 But nay! Verily, all [that awaits him] is a raging flame, 15 A fire that melts the hide. 16 It calleth him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 and amassed (riches) and hoarded. 18 ۞ Indeed, the human was created grudging and impatient. 19 When evil comes upon him he is impatient; 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he selfishly withholds it [from others]. 21 except those that pray, 22 [and] who incessantly persevere in their prayer 23 And those within whose wealth is a known right 24 For the beggar who asks, and for the unlucky who has lost his property and wealth, (and his means of living has been straitened); 25 And those who hold to the truth of the Day of Judgment; 26 And those who fear the torment of their Lord, 27 Surely no one can be secure from the punishment of his Lord, -- 28 And those who guard their chastity, 29 Except with their wives and the bondwomen in their possession, for there is no reproach on them. 30 And whosoever seeketh beyond that, then it is those who are the trespassers 31 And those who fulfil their trusts and covenants, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who guard their Salat (prayers) well. 34 Those shall be in gardens, honored. 35