The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A questioner questioned concerning the doom about to fall 1 The infidels, of which there is no averter. 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 Whereby the angels ascend unto Him and also the spirit, On a Day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 So be patient with gracious patience. 5 behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away 6 but We see it is nigh. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the heaven shall become like unto dregs of oil. 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 And no friend will ask [anything of] a friend, 10 Though they shall be made to see one another. Fain would the guilty ransom himself from the torment of that Day by his children. 11 and his spouse and his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: 14 By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell!- 15 That would skin the scalp. 16 calling him who drew back and turned away, 17 Who amasses and then hoards. 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 Fretful when evil touches him; 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 save those that pray 22 and constant in their prayers. 23 And those in whose wealth is a recognised right. 24 For the beggar who asks, and for the unlucky who has lost his property and wealth, (and his means of living has been straitened); 25 those who firmly believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 and go in fear of the punishment of their Lord, 27 Surely the chastisement of their Lord is (a thing) not to be felt secure of-- 28 and who are mindful of their chastity, 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 fulfil their trusts and covenants, 32 And those who are firm upon their testimonies. 33 And those who guard their Salat (prayers) well. 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35