The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 Upon the disbelievers – the punishment that none can avert. 2 From Allah, the Lord of the ways of Ascent. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 So be patient with gracious patience. 5 behold, they see it as if far off; 6 And We see it nigh. 7 On the Day the sky will be like murky oil, 8 And then the mountains shall become like unto wool dyed. 9 no loyal friend shall question loyal friend, 10 though they may be in one another's sight: [for,] everyone who was lost in sin will on that Day but desire to ransom himself from suffering at the price of his own children, 11 And his wife and his brother. 12 And his kin that sheltered him. 13 And all that are in the earth, if then it might deliver him. 14 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 That would skin the scalp. 16 It calleth him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 who amassed and hoarded. 18 ۞ Surely man was created fretful, 19 bewailing when evil befalls him, 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he grows niggardly. 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 who are constant in prayer; 23 And those in whose wealth is a recognised right. 24 For the needy and those dispossessed, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgement, 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord, -- 27 Surely the chastisement of their Lord is (a thing) not to be felt secure of-- 28 And those who of their private parts are guards. 29 save from their wives and what their right hands own, then not being blameworthy 30 but those who go beyond that limit are transgressors; 31 And those who are to their trusts and promises attentive 32 And those who are in their testimonies upright 33 And those who of their prayer are observant. 34 Such shall dwell in the Gardens (i.e. Paradise) honoured. 35