The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 (A Penalty) from Allah, Lord 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 So be thou patient with a sweet patience; 5 Verily they behold it afar off. 6 But We see it very near. 7 On that Day the heaven shall become like molten copper, 8 and the mountains will become like tufts of wool, 9 And no friend will ask [anything of] a 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 kin that harboured him 13 And all that are in the earth, so that it might save him. 14 No! Indeed, it is the Flame [of Hell], 15 that will strip off the scalp. 16 It shall claim him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 who amassed and hoarded. 18 ۞ Lo! man was created anxious, 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 And refraining, when good reaches him. 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 and continue at their prayers, 23 And those in whose wealth is a recognised right. 24 to those who ask [for help] and to the destitute; 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who are fearful of the chastisement of their Lord-- 27 Lo! the doom of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure - 28 and guard their private parts 29 [not giving way to their desires] with any but their spouses - that is, those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock]: for then, behold, they are free of all blame, 30 but any who seeks to go beyond that, it is indeed they who are the transgressors, 31 And those who are to their trusts and promises attentive 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 It is these who will be honoured in Gardens. 35