The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
A questioner asked about a Penalty to befall- 1 the unbelievers which none can prevent. 2 (A Penalty) from Allah, Lord of the Ways of Ascent. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit mount up, in a day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore, [O believers] behave with seemly patience. 5 Verily! They see it (the torment) afar off, 6 but We see it near at hand. 7 The day the sky becomes like molten brass, 8 And the mountains shall be as tufts of wool 9 and no bosom friend will enquire about any of his bosom friends 10 Though they shall be made to see one another [(i.e. on the Day of Resurrection), there will be none but see his father, children and relatives, but he will neither speak to them nor will ask them for any help)], - the Mujrim, (criminal, sinner, disbeliever, etc.) would desire to ransom himself from the punishment of that Day by his children. 11 his companion wife, his brother, 12 And his nearest kindred who shelter him 13 And all those that are in the earth, (wishing) then (that) this might deliver him. 14 Never! That is indeed a blazing fire. 15 A remover of exteriors. 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 and amassed wealth and covetously hoarded it. 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 when misfortune touches him he starts lamenting, 20 when good visits him, grudging, 21 Except the observers of prayer - 22 who are steadfast in prayer; 23 And those in whose wealth is a recognised right. 24 For the beggar and the destitute. 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense 26 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 27 Verily! The torment of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure, 28 And those who guard their private parts, 29 Except in the case of their wives or those whom their right hands possess-- for these surely are not to be blamed, 30 But those who seek more than this will be transgressors; 31 And those who protect the property entrusted to them, and their agreements. 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies. 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 Such shall dwell in the Gardens (i.e. Paradise) honoured. 35