The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A questioner asked about a Penalty to befall- 1 Upon the infidels -- which none would be able to repel -- 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 3 Whereby the angels ascend unto Him and also the spirit, On a Day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 Wherefore be thou patient with a becoming patience. 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 But We see it very near. 7 The Day that the sky will be like molten brass, 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 And not a friend shall ask a friend, 10 They will be shown each other. The criminal will wish that he could be ransomed from the punishment of that Day by his children 11 his companion (wife), his brother, 12 and of all the kinsfolk who ever sheltered him, 13 And whoever is on earth entirely [so] then it could save him. 14 But never. It is pure white flame 15 Eager to roast; 16 It shall claim him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from spending it in the Cause of Allah). 18 ۞ Lo! man was created anxious, 19 Irritable (discontented) when evil touches him; 20 And, when good befalleth him, grudging; 21 Except those who pray, 22 Those who are constant at their prayer 23 And those within whose wealth is a known right 24 to those who ask [for help] and to the destitute; 25 And those who hold to the truth of the Day of Judgment; 26 and fear the chastisement of their Lord – 27 for none is secure from the punishment of their Lord, 28 And those who preserve their chastity 29 Except with their wives and the bondwomen in their possession, for there is no reproach on them. 30 So those who desire more than this – it is they who are the transgressors. 31 (Those) who keep their trusts and their covenant, 32 and who stand firm whenever they bear witness; 33 And those who keep a guard on their prayer, 34 Those shall be in gardens, honored. 35