The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
Someone has (needlessly) demanded to experience the torment (of God), 1 The unbelievers-- there is none to avert it-- 2 (A punishment) from Allah, the Owner of the Elevated Passages. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 But be patient (O Muhammad) with a patience fair to see. 5 They surely take it to be far away, 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 On that Day the heavens shall become like molten brass, 8 And then the mountains shall become like unto wool dyed. 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 his spouse and his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all those who are in the earth – then only if the redemption saves him! 14 By no means! Verily, it will be the Fire of Hell! 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 Inviting (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from the Right). 17 and amassed (riches) and hoarded. 18 ۞ Indeed, man is born impatient: 19 bewailing when evil befalls him, 20 And, when good befalleth him, grudging; 21 Except those devoted to Salat (prayers) 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 who accept as true the [coming of the] Day of Judgment; 26 And those who are fearful of the chastisement of their Lord-- 27 Lo! the doom of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure - 28 And those who of their private parts are guards. 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 any who seeks to go beyond that, it is indeed they who are the transgressors, 31 And those who protect the property entrusted to them, and their agreements. 32 And those who are firm upon their testimonies. 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 Those shall be in Gardens, high-honoured. 35