The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 the unbelievers which none can prevent. 2 From Allah, the Lord of the 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 So, (O Prophet), persevere with gracious perseverance. 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 And We see it nigh. 7 Upon the day when heaven shall be as molten copper 8 The mountains like the tufts of (carded) wool, 9 And no friend will ask [anything of] 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 his companion wife, his brother, 12 And his kin that harboured him 13 And all who are on the earth; so that this might deliver him. 14 By no means! Verily, it will be the Fire of Hell! 15 that will strip off the scalp. 16 Calling: "[O Kafir (O disbeliever in Allah, His angels, His Book, His Messengers, Day of Resurrection and in Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments), O Mushrik (O polytheist, disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah)] (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from Faith) [picking and swallowing them up from that great gathering of mankind (on the Day of Resurrection) just as a bird picks up a food-grain from the earth with its beak and swallows it up] [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, Vol. 18, Page 289] 17 Who amasses and then hoards. 18 ۞ Lo! man was created anxious, 19 If evil befalls him he is perturbed; 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he selfishly withholds it [from others]. 21 except those who are steadfast 22 Who persevere in devotion, 23 And those in whose wealth there is a fixed portion. 24 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); 25 and those who believe in the Day of Judgement 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord, -- 27 For their Lord's displeasure is the opposite of Peace and Tranquillity;- 28 And those who preserve their chastity 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 So those who desire more than this – it is they who are the transgressors. 31 and who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges: 32 and who stand firm whenever they bear witness; 33 and who observe their prayers. 34 Such shall dwell in the Gardens (i.e. Paradise) honoured. 35