The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
A questioner questioned concerning the doom about to fall 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 [It is] from Allah, owner of the ways of ascent. 3 Whereby the angels ascend unto Him and also the spirit, On a Day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 So, (O Prophet), persevere with gracious perseverance. 5 behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away 6 But We see it very near. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the heaven shall become like unto dregs of oil. 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 and no bosom friend will enquire about any of his bosom friends 10 although they shall be within sight of one another. The guilty one would fain ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his children, 11 his companion wife, his brother, 12 And his kin that harboured him 13 And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: 14 Nay, verily it is a furnace 15 Plucking out (his being) right to the skull!- 16 It will claim all such as turn their backs [on what is right,] and turn away [from the truth,] 17 and amassed (riches) and hoarded. 18 ۞ Verily, man (disbeliever) was created very impatient; 19 Very nervous when touched by misfortune. 20 And niggardly when good befalls him 21 except those who are steadfast 22 Those who are constant at their prayer 23 And those in whose wealth there is a fixed portion. 24 For the petitioner and the deprived - 25 those who firmly believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 and go in fear of the punishment of their Lord, 27 for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure; 28 And those who guard their chastity, 29 Are free of blame, 30 (but whoso seeks after more than that, they are the transgressors), 31 (Those) who keep their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who are in their testimonies upright 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 Such shall dwell in the Gardens (i.e. Paradise) honoured. 35