The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A supplicant asked for a punishment bound to happen 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 To Him ascend the angels and the Spirit in a day the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). 5 they see it as being far off; 6 but, We see it as near! 7 On that Day the heaven shall become like molten copper, 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 And no familiar friend will ask a question of his friend 10 though they are in sight of each other. To ransom himself from the punishment of that Day, the sinner will wish that he might even ransom himself by his sons, 11 his wife, his brother, 12 the kinsmen who gave him shelter, 13 And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: 14 By no means! Surely it is a flaming fire 15 that will strip off the scalp. 16 It invites he who turned his back [on truth] and went away [from obedience] 17 And accumulated wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Indeed man is created very impatient, greedy. 19 If evil befalls him he is perturbed; 20 but when good comes upon him, he is grudging 21 Except those who pray, 22 Who are at their prayer constant. 23 And in whose wealth there is a right acknowledged 24 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); 25 And those who believe the Day of Judgement to be true. 26 and fear the chastisement of their Lord – 27 Surely the chastisement of their Lord is (a thing) not to be felt secure of-- 28 And those who guard their sex except from their wives and women slaves of old 29 Except with their wives and the bondwomen in their possession, for there is no reproach on them. 30 But he who seeks to go beyond this, these it is that go beyond the limits-- 31 And those who keep their trusts and covenants; 32 And those who are in their testimonies upright 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35