The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
A questioner asked about a Penalty to befall- 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can avert, 2 [It is] from Allah, owner of the ways of ascent. 3 The angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him during a Day the extent of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore endure with a goodly patience. 5 Verily they behold it afar off. 6 But We see it very near. 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 And the hills will be light as wool. 9 And no friend will ask after a friend, 10 though they are in sight of each other. To ransom himself from the punishment of that Day, the sinner will wish that he might even ransom himself by his sons, 11 and of his spouse, and of his brother, 12 And his kindred who sheltered him, 13 and all the people of the earth, if that could deliver him. 14 Nay, verily it is a furnace 15 Plucking out (his being) right to the skull!- 16 Calling: "[O Kafir (O disbeliever in Allah, His angels, His Book, His Messengers, Day of Resurrection and in Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments), O Mushrik (O polytheist, disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah)] (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from Faith) [picking and swallowing them up from that great gathering of mankind (on the Day of Resurrection) just as a bird picks up a food-grain from the earth with its beak and swallows it up] [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, Vol. 18, Page 289] 17 Who amasses and then hoards. 18 ۞ Verily man is formed impatient. 19 When evil toucheth him, he is bewailing. 20 If good comes to him he holds back his hand, 21 except those that pray, 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 And those in whose wealth exists a recognised right, 24 For the petitioner and the deprived - 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgement, 26 who are afraid of the torment of their Lord, 27 (from their Lord's chastisement none feels secure) 28 And those who guard their chastity, 29 Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 But whoever seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors - 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 and perform their witnessings, 33 And those who protect their prayers. 34 They will live in gardens with honour. 35