The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 Upon the infidels -- which none would be able to repel -- 2 From Allah, 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 But be patient (O Muhammad) with a patience fair to see. 5 Verily! They see it (the torment) afar off, 6 But We see it [as] near. 7 The Day that the sky will be like the boiling filth of oil, (or molten copper or silver or lead, etc.). 8 And the hills will be light as wool. 9 and no friend will ask about his friend, 10 Though they will be given sight of them. The guilty man will long to be able to ransom himself from the punishment of that day at the price of his children 11 And his wife and his brother. 12 And his kin that harboured him 13 And all those who are on the earth, to save himself. 14 Nay, verily it is a furnace 15 stripping away his skin, 16 and it shall call him who withdrew and turned his back 17 And masseth and then hoardeth. 18 ۞ Verily man is impatient by nature: 19 Irritable (discontented) when evil touches him; 20 And niggardly when good reaches him;- 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 Those who are regular in their prayers. 23 those who give a due share of their wealth 24 to those who ask [for help] and to the destitute; 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgment, 26 who are afraid of the torment of their Lord, 27 the punishment of their Lord is not something for them to feel secure of, 28 And those who of their private parts are guards. 29 Except with their wives and the bondwomen in their possession, for there is no reproach on them. 30 but those who go beyond that limit are transgressors; 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 and who guard their prayers [from all worldly intent]. 34 They will be in gardens, honored. 35