The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 for the unbelievers, which none may avert, 2 (A Penalty) from Allah, Lord of the Ways of Ascent. 3 The angels and Jibreel, ascend towards Him – the punishment will befall on a day which spans fifty thousand years. 4 So persevere with becoming patience. 5 They deem it to be remote. 6 And We see it nigh. 7 On the Day the sky will be like murky oil, 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 And no friend will ask concerning his friend. 10 Though within sight of one another. The sinner would like to ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his sons, 11 And his wife and his brother. 12 the kinsmen who gave him shelter, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, all together, so that then it might deliver him. 14 But never. It is pure white flame 15 Taking away (burning completely) the head skin! 16 It will claim all such as turn their backs [on what is right,] and turn away [from the truth,] 17 And accumulated wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Indeed, man is born impatient: 19 when evil visits him, impatient, 20 And when good touches him, withholding [of it], 21 Except those who establish prayer. 22 Those who are constant in their prayer 23 And those within whose wealth is a known right 24 For the petitioner and the deprived - 25 And those who testify to the Day of Requital. 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 guard their private parts, 29 [not giving way to their desires] with any but their spouses - that is, those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock]: for then, behold, they are free of all blame, 30 And whosoever seeketh beyond that, then it is those who are the trespassers 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 and standby their witnessing, 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 They will live in gardens with honour. 35