The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 The infidels, of which there is no averter. 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 On that Day (of Judgment), long as fifty thousand years, the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him. 4 So be thou patient with a sweet patience; 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 but We see it to be very near. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the heaven shall become like unto dregs of oil. 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 And no friend will ask [anything of] a friend, 10 They will be seeing them; the guilty will wish if only he could redeem himself from the punishment of that day, by offering his sons. 11 And his wife and his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: 14 By no means! Verily, it will be the Fire of Hell! 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 It shall claim him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 and amassed wealth and covetously hoarded it. 18 ۞ Indeed, mankind was created anxious: 19 When they are afflicted, they complain, 20 If good comes to him he holds back his hand, 21 Except those who establish prayer. 22 and constant in their prayers. 23 And those in whose riches is a known right. 24 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); 25 who confirm the Day of Doom 26 who are afraid of the torment of their Lord, 27 Surely the chastisement of their Lord is (a thing) not to be felt secure of-- 28 And those who preserve their chastity 29 save from their wives and what their right hands own, then not being blameworthy 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, then it is those who are trespassers. 31 And those who respect their trusts and covenants; 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 and who take due care of their Prayer: 34 Such will be the honoured ones in the Gardens (of Bliss). 35