The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
A beseecher besought the visitation of chastisement, 1 The infidels, of which there is no averter. 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend in a day, the measure 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 They surely take it to be far away, 6 but, We see it as near! 7 The day the sky becomes like molten brass, 8 And the mountains shall be as tufts of wool 9 and [when] no friend will ask about his 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 His wife and his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 and of whoever [else] lives on earth, all of them - so that he could but save himself. 14 But no! There is a raging blaze 15 Flaying off the scalp-skin. 16 It invites he who turned his back [on truth] and went away [from obedience] 17 And accumulated wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Truly man was created very impatient;- 19 when evil visits him, impatient, 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he selfishly withholds it [from others]. 21 except those that pray, 22 Those who are regular in their prayers. 23 And those in whose wealth there is a fixed portion. 24 for the needy and the deprived, 25 who confirm the Day of Doom 26 And those who are fearful of the punishment of their Lord - 27 for none is secure from the punishment of their Lord, 28 who guard their privates 29 Except in the case of their wives or those whom their right hands possess-- for these surely are not to be blamed, 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, then it is those who are trespassers. 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 It is these who will be honoured in Gardens. 35