The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
There hath asked an asker for the torment about to befall. 1 which will inevitably seize the disbelievers. 2 No one can defend him against God, the Lord of the exalted positions. 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 Verily they behold it afar off. 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 On that Day the heaven shall become like molten copper, 8 and the mountains become like wool, 9 and [when] 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 spouse and his brother, 12 And the nearest of his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 and of whoever [else] lives on earth, all of them - so that he could but save himself. 14 By no means! For the raging flames of the fire 15 That would skin the scalp. 16 Inviting (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from the Right). 17 and amassed (riches) and hoarded. 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 when misfortune touches him he starts lamenting, 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 Save worshippers. 22 Those who are regular in their prayers. 23 And those within whose wealth is a known right 24 for those that ask and those that are dispossessed, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord, -- 27 for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure; 28 who guard their privates 29 Except with their wives and the bondwomen in their possession, for there is no reproach on them. 30 But he who seeks to go beyond this, these it is that go beyond the limits-- 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 And those who are in their testimonies upright 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 Those are highly honored in the Gardens. 35