The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 [It is] from Allah, owner of the ways of ascent. 3 all the angels and all the inspiration [ever granted to man] ascend unto Him [daily,] in a day the length whereof is [like] fifty thousand years… 4 Therefore patiently endure, in the best manner (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him). 5 behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away 6 Whereas We see it impending. 7 On that Day the heavens shall become like molten brass, 8 and the mountains will become like dyed tufts of wool, 9 And no friend will ask of a friend, 10 though they are in sight of each other. To ransom himself from the punishment of that Day, the sinner will wish that he might even ransom himself by his sons, 11 his companion (wife), his brother, 12 His kindred who sheltered him, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, altogether, so that it might save him. 14 But never. It is pure white flame 15 Plucking out (his being) right to the skull!- 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 ۞ VERILY, man is born with a restless disposition. 19 When evil toucheth him, he is bewailing. 20 And when good toucheth him he is begrudging. 21 But not so the worshippers 22 Those who are constant in their prayer 23 those who give a due share of their wealth 24 for the impoverished nonrequester and the requester, 25 and those who believe in the Day of Judgement 26 And those who are fearful of the punishment of their Lord - 27 Verily the torment of their Lord is not a thing to feel secure from. 28 And those who guard 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 But whoso seeketh more than that, those are they who are transgressors; 31 and who preserve their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who are firm upon their testimonies. 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 They will live in gardens with honour. 35