The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
A beseecher besought the visitation of chastisement, 1 those who deny the truth. [Know, then, that] nothing can ward it off, 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 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 Lo! they behold it afar off 6 But We see it very near. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the sky will become like molten brass, 8 and the mountains will become like dyed tufts of wool, 9 and no bosom friend will enquire about any of his bosom friends 10 as they are given sight of them. The sinner will wish that he might ransom himself from the chastisement of that day even by his sons, 11 and of his spouse, and of his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 And all those who are in the earth – then only if the redemption saves him! 14 By no means! Verily, it will be the Fire of Hell! 15 snatching away 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 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from spending it in the Cause of Allah). 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 When evil toucheth him, he is bewailing. 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 [and] who incessantly persevere in their prayer 23 And those within whose wealth is a known right 24 for such as ask [for help] and such as are deprived [of what is good in life]; 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense 26 and go in fear of the punishment of their Lord, 27 for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure; 28 who guard their carnal desires 29 Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, they are the transgressors. 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 Who uphold their testimonies, 33 And those who of their prayer are observant. 34 Those are highly honored in the Gardens. 35