The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 [It is] from Allah, owner of the ways of ascent. 3 The angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him during a Day the extent of which is fifty thousand years. 4 So, (O Prophet), persevere with gracious perseverance. 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 hills become as flakes of wool, 9 and [when] no friend will ask about his friend, 10 as they are given sight of them. The sinner will wish that he might ransom himself from the chastisement of that day even by his sons, 11 And his wife and his brother 12 And his family who had stood by him, 13 and all the people of the earth, if that could deliver him. 14 By no means! Verily it is a Flame. 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 It shall call him who turneth back and backslideth. 17 And amasses (wealth) then shuts it up. 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 Being greatly grieved when evil afflicts him 20 And refraining, when good reaches him. 21 except those that pray, 22 Those who are constant at their prayer 23 And those within whose wealth is a known right 24 for the impoverished nonrequester and the requester, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense 26 and go in fear of the chastisement of their Lord 27 for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure; 28 And those who of their private parts are guards. 29 except from their wives and what their right hands own, for these they are not blameworthy. 30 So those who desire more than this – it is they who are the transgressors. 31 And those who are faithful to their trusts and their covenant 32 and who stand firm whenever they bear witness; 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 Those shall be in gardens, honored. 35