The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 the unbelievers which none can prevent. 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, 3 The angels and Jibreel, ascend towards Him – the punishment will befall on a day which spans fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 Indeed, they see it [as] distant, 6 but We see it is nigh. 7 The Day that the sky will be like the boiling filth of oil, (or molten copper or silver or lead, etc.). 8 and the mountains will become like dyed tufts of wool, 9 no loyal friend shall question loyal friend, 10 Though they will be put in sight of each other,- the sinner's desire will be: Would that he could redeem himself from the Penalty of that Day by (sacrificing) his children, 11 And his spouse and his brother 12 and his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 and all persons of the earth, if only he could thus save himself. 14 Nay, verily it is a furnace 15 Taking away (burning completely) the head skin! 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 amassed wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Surely man was created fretful, 19 When they are afflicted, they complain, 20 And niggardly when good befalls him 21 except those that pray, 22 Those who remain constant in their Salat (prayers); 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 24 for those that ask and those that are dispossessed, 25 And those who testify to the Day of Requital. 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 of their private parts are guards. 29 Except with their wives and the (women slaves and captives) whom their right hands possess, for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 whereas such as seek to go beyond that [limit] are truly transgressors; 31 And those who keep their trusts and covenants; 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who are attentive at their worship. 34 Those shall be in gardens, honored. 35