The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A beseecher besought the visitation of chastisement, 1 Upon the infidels -- which none would be able to repel -- 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 To Him ascend the angels and the Spirit in a day the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore be patient, with a beautiful patience; 5 Verily they behold it afar off. 6 but We see it is nigh. 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 and the mountains become like wool, 9 and [when] no friend will ask about his friend, 10 Though they will be given sight of them. The guilty man will long to be able to ransom himself from the punishment of that day at the price of his children 11 his companion (wife), his brother, 12 And his kin that sheltered him. 13 and of whoever [else] lives on earth, all of them - so that he could but save himself. 14 No! Indeed, it is the Flame [of Hell], 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 and it will claim all those who turned their backs [on the true faith] and turned away [from the truth], 17 And hoarded (wealth) and withheld it. 18 ۞ Indeed man is created very impatient, greedy. 19 Fretful when evil touches him; 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he grows niggardly. 21 save those that pray 22 and are constant in their Prayer; 23 And those in whose wealth there is a fixed portion. 24 for the impoverished nonrequester and the requester, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgement, 26 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 27 Surely no one can be secure from the punishment of his Lord, -- 28 who guard their carnal desires 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 those who go beyond that limit are transgressors; 31 And those who are faithful to their trusts and their covenant 32 And those who stand by their testimony 33 and who are constant in their prayers. 34 These will dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35