The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, 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 disbelievers, which none can avert, 2 [It is] from Allah, owner of the ways of ascent. 3 (Whereby) the angels and the Spirit ascend unto Him in a Day whereof the span is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore endure with a goodly patience. 5 Verily! They see it (the torment) afar off, 6 Whereas We see it impending. 7 The Day that the sky will be like molten brass, 8 and the mountains will be like tufts of wool, 9 And no familiar friend will ask a question of 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 His wife and his brother, 12 his kinsmen who gave him refuge (from hardship) 13 and whosoever is in the earth, all together, so that then it might deliver him. 14 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 It shall claim him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 and amassed wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Lo! man was created anxious, 19 Very nervous when touched by misfortune. 20 And niggardly when good befalls him 21 save those that pray 22 Who are constant at their worship 23 And in whose wealth there is a right acknowledged 24 For the beggar and the destitute; 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgment, 26 and are fearful of the punishment of their Lord; 27 Surely the chastisement of their Lord is (a thing) not to be felt secure of-- 28 And those who guard their sex except from their wives and women slaves of old 29 Save with their wives and those whom their right hands possess, for thus they are not blameworthy; 30 But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors;- 31 and who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges: 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 They will be honoured in the Gardens of Bliss. 35