The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
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 mount up, in a day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 (Muhammad), exercise patience with no complaints. 5 They see it [the Day of Judgement] to be far off, 6 Whereas We see it impending. 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 And the mountains shall be as tufts of wool 9 no loyal friend shall question loyal 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 his family who had stood by him, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, altogether, so that it might save him. 14 But nay! Verily, all [that awaits him] is a raging flame, 15 will strip-off the flesh 16 It calls out to him who reverted and turned away. 17 and amassed wealth and covetously hoarded it. 18 ۞ Surely man was created fretful, 19 When they are afflicted, they complain, 20 And, when good befalleth him, grudging; 21 Except those devoted to Salat (prayers) 22 Those who are regular in their prayers. 23 And those in whose wealth exists a recognised right, 24 for the needy and the deprived, 25 who acknowledge the Day of Judgment, 26 and fear the chastisement of their Lord – 27 for none may ever feel secure from the punishment of their Lord; 28 And those who of their private parts are guards. 29 Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they are not to be blamed - 30 But whoever seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors - 31 and who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges: 32 And those who are upright in their testimonies, 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35