The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can avert, 2 No one can defend him against God, the Lord of the exalted positions. 3 The angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years, 4 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 Lo! they behold it afar off 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 and the mountains will become like tufts of wool, 9 And no friend will ask after a friend, 10 Though they will be put in sight of each other,- the sinner's desire will be: Would that he could redeem himself from the Penalty of that Day by (sacrificing) his children, 11 his wife, his brother, 12 And the nearest of his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: 14 But no! There is a raging blaze 15 Eager to roast; 16 Inviting (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from the Right). 17 and amassed wealth and covetously hoarded it. 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 bewailing when evil befalls him, 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he grows niggardly. 21 But not so the worshippers 22 and continue at their prayers, 23 who, from their wealth is a known right 24 for the impoverished nonrequester and the requester, 25 who confirm the Day of Doom 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord. 27 surely the chastisement of their Lord is a thing none can feel secure from – 28 who guard their privates 29 except from their wives and slave girls, in which case they are not to be blamed, 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, they are the transgressors. 31 who honor their trust and promises, 32 And those who stand by their testimony 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 Those shall be in gardens, honored. 35