The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 Upon the infidels -- which none would be able to repel -- 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 (Whereby) the angels and the Spirit ascend unto Him in a Day whereof the span is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore be patient, with a beautiful patience; 5 They see it [the Day of Judgement] to be far off, 6 But We see it [as] near. 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 and no friend will ask about his friend, 10 though they shall be within sight of each other. The guilty one will gladly ransom himself from the torment of that Day by sacrificing his own children, 11 And his wife and his brother. 12 And his nearest kindred who shelter him 13 and whosoever is in the earth, all together, so that then it might deliver him. 14 By no means! Surely it is a flaming fire 15 that will strip off the scalp. 16 calling him who drew back and turned away, 17 And accumulated wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Verily man is formed impatient. 19 When evil comes upon him he is impatient; 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 And those in whose wealth is a recognised right. 24 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); 25 who confirm the Day of Reckoning 26 And those who are fearful of the punishment of their Lord - 27 Verily! The torment of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure, 28 who guard their privates 29 Are free of blame, 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, then it is those who are trespassers. 31 and who preserve their trusts and their covenant, 32 and who stand firm whenever they bear witness; 33 And those who protect their prayers. 34 Those are highly honored in the Gardens. 35