The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A supplicant asked for a punishment bound to happen 1 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- 2 from God, the Lord of the Stairways. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore, [O believers] behave with seemly patience. 5 They see it [the Day of Judgement] to be far off, 6 but We see it is nigh. 7 On the day when the heavens become like molten metal. 8 and the mountains shall be as plucked wool-tufts, 9 And no friend will ask after a friend, 10 though they may see each other. A sinner will wish that he could save himself from the torment of that day by sacrificing his children, 11 and of his spouse, and of his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, altogether, so that it might save him. 14 By no means! Surely it is a flaming fire 15 Taking away (burning completely) the head skin! 16 and drag into it anyone who has turned away (from obeying God), 17 And masseth and then hoardeth. 18 ۞ Indeed man is created very impatient, greedy. 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 but when good comes upon him, he is grudging 21 But not so the worshippers 22 and constant in their prayers. 23 And those in whose wealth exists a recognised right, 24 for the beggar and the outcast, 25 those who firmly believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord. 27 Surely no one can be secure from the punishment of his Lord, -- 28 And those who preserve their chastity 29 Except with their wives and the bondwomen in their possession, for there is no reproach on them. 30 But whoever seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors - 31 and who preserve their trusts and their covenant, 32 and who stand firm whenever they bear witness; 33 And those who guard (the sacredness) of their worship;- 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35