The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
One demanding, demanded the chastisement which must befall 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 No one can defend him against God, the Lord of the exalted positions. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit mount up, in a day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 They deem it to be remote. 6 While we behold it nigh: 7 The Day that the sky will be like the boiling filth of oil, (or molten copper or silver or lead, etc.). 8 and the mountains will be like tufts of wool, 9 No loyal friend will ask another loyal friend 10 They will be shown each other. The criminal will wish that he could be ransomed from the punishment of that Day by his children 11 and his spouse and his brother, 12 his kin who sheltered him, 13 And whoever is on earth entirely [so] then it could save him. 14 But never. It is pure white flame 15 snatching away the scalp, 16 Calling: "[O Kafir (O disbeliever in Allah, His angels, His Book, His Messengers, Day of Resurrection and in Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments), O Mushrik (O polytheist, disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah)] (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from Faith) [picking and swallowing them up from that great gathering of mankind (on the Day of Resurrection) just as a bird picks up a food-grain from the earth with its beak and swallows it up] [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, Vol. 18, Page 289] 17 and amassed wealth and covetously hoarded it. 18 ۞ Indeed, mankind was created anxious: 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he selfishly withholds it [from others]. 21 Not so, however, those who consciously turn towards God in prayer. 22 Who are constant at their worship 23 In whose wealth a due share is included 24 For the beggar and the destitute. 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 and fear the chastisement of their Lord – 27 the punishment of their Lord is not something for them to feel secure of, 28 And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts from illegal sexual acts). 29 except from their spouses and those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock], for which they incur no blame -- 30 But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors;- 31 And those who are faithful to their trusts and their covenant 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 And those who protect their prayers. 34 Those shall dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35