The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 those who deny the truth. [Know, then, that] nothing can ward it off, 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 (Whereby) the angels and the Spirit ascend unto Him in a Day whereof the span is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 On the day when the heavens become like molten metal. 8 And the mountains shall be as tufts of wool 9 And no friend will ask concerning his friend. 10 although they shall be within sight of one another. The guilty one would fain ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his children, 11 And his spouse and his brother 12 His kindred who sheltered him, 13 And all those who are in the earth – then only if the redemption saves him! 14 Nay, verily it is a furnace 15 snatching away the scalp, 16 and it shall call him who withdrew and turned his back 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from spending it in the Cause of Allah). 18 ۞ Surely man is created of a hasty temperament 19 If evil befalls him he is perturbed; 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 save those that pray 22 Who persevere in devotion, 23 In whose wealth a due share is included 24 for the needy and the deprived, 25 and who accept as true the [coming of the] Day of Judgment; 26 And those who fear the torment of their Lord, 27 for none is secure from the punishment of their Lord, 28 who guard their carnal desires 29 Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, then it is those who are trespassers. 31 and who preserve their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 and are steadfast in their prayers. 34 Such shall dwell in the Gardens (i.e. Paradise) honoured. 35