The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A beseecher besought the visitation of chastisement, 1 the unbelievers which none can prevent. 2 from God, the Lord of the Stairways. 3 The angels and Jibreel, ascend towards Him – the punishment will befall on a day which spans fifty thousand years. 4 (Muhammad), exercise patience with no complaints. 5 Verily they behold it afar off. 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 and the mountains become like wool, 9 No loyal friend will ask another loyal friend 10 Though they shall be made to see one another [(i.e. on the Day of Resurrection), there will be none but see his father, children and relatives, but he will neither speak to them nor will ask them for any help)], - the Mujrim, (criminal, sinner, disbeliever, etc.) would desire to ransom himself from the punishment of that Day by his children. 11 his wife, his brother, 12 His kindred who sheltered him, 13 And whoever is on earth entirely [so] then it could save him. 14 Nay, verily it is a furnace 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 And hoarded (wealth) and withheld it. 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 If good comes to him he holds back his hand, 21 Except those who establish prayer. 22 Those who are constant in their prayer 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); 25 who acknowledge the Day of Judgment, 26 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 27 for none may ever feel secure from the punishment of their Lord; 28 who guard their privates 29 save from their wives and what their right hands own, then not being blameworthy 30 (but whoso seeks after more than that, they are the transgressors), 31 And those who are faithful to their trusts and their covenant 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 And those who of their prayer are observant. 34 These will dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35