The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 The angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him during a Day the extent of which is 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 And We see it nigh. 7 On that Day the heaven shall become like molten copper, 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 And friend shall not ask of friend 10 though they shall be within sight of each other. The guilty one will gladly ransom himself from the torment of that Day by sacrificing his own children, 11 and his spouse and his brother, 12 His kindred who sheltered him, 13 and all persons of the earth, if only he could thus save himself. 14 By no means! For the raging flames of the fire 15 A fire that melts the hide. 16 and it will claim all those who turned their backs [on the true faith] and turned away [from the truth], 17 who amassed and hoarded. 18 ۞ Lo! man was created anxious, 19 When they are afflicted, they complain, 20 but when good comes upon him, he is grudging 21 Save worshippers. 22 Those who are constant at their prayer 23 And those in whose riches is a known right. 24 For the beggar who asks, and for the unlucky who has lost his property and wealth, (and his means of living has been straitened); 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord, -- 27 for none may ever feel secure from the punishment of their Lord; 28 And those who guard their private parts, 29 except from their wives and slave girls, in which case they are not to be blamed, 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 Who uphold their testimonies, 33 And those who of their prayer are observant. 34 It is these who will be honoured in Gardens. 35