The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 which will inevitably seize the disbelievers. 2 [since it will come] from God, unto whom there are many ways of ascent: 3 by which the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him in one Day which will last for fifty thousand years. 4 (Muhammad), exercise patience with no complaints. 5 behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 The day the sky becomes like molten brass, 8 and the mountains will be like tufts of wool, 9 And no friend inquires after friend 10 Though within sight of one another. The sinner would like to ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his sons, 11 and his spouse 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 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 Inviting (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from the Right). 17 and amassed (riches) and hoarded. 18 ۞ Indeed, man is born impatient: 19 When evil comes upon him he is impatient; 20 And niggardly when good reaches him;- 21 except those who are steadfast 22 [and] who incessantly persevere in their prayer 23 And those in whose wealth exists a recognised right, 24 For the needy and those dispossessed, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgment, 26 And those who fear the torment of their Lord, 27 Surely no one can be secure from the punishment of his Lord, -- 28 who guard their privates 29 save from their wives and what their right hands own, then not being blameworthy 30 whereas such as seek to go beyond that [limit] are truly transgressors; 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who keep a guard on their prayer, 34 Such shall dwell in the Gardens (i.e. Paradise) honoured. 35