The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 which will inevitably seize the disbelievers. 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 On that Day (of Judgment), long as fifty thousand years, the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him. 4 (Muhammad), exercise patience with no complaints. 5 They surely take it to be far away, 6 And We see it nigh. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the heaven shall become like unto dregs of oil. 8 And then the mountains shall become like unto wool dyed. 9 And no friend will ask [anything of] a friend, 10 They will be shown each other. The criminal will wish that he could be ransomed from the punishment of that Day by his children 11 his companion wife, his brother, 12 his kinsmen who gave him refuge (from hardship) 13 and all the people of the earth, if that could deliver him. 14 By no means! Surely it is a flaming fire 15 tearing away his skin! 16 It shall claim him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 And masseth and then hoardeth. 18 ۞ Verily man is formed impatient. 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 [and] who incessantly persevere in their prayer 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 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 their Lord's torment 27 Surely no one can be secure from the punishment of his Lord, -- 28 and 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 whoso seeks after more than that, they are the transgressors), 31 and those who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges; 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies. 33 and who observe their prayers. 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35