The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A caller supplicated about a punishment to fall on 1 Upon the disbelievers – the punishment that none can avert. 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, 3 all the angels and all the inspiration [ever granted to man] ascend unto Him [daily,] in a day the length whereof is [like] fifty thousand years… 4 So be thou patient with a sweet patience; 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 While we behold it nigh: 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 And the mountains shall be as tufts of wool 9 And no familiar friend will ask a question of his friend 10 Though they shall be made to see one another. Fain would the guilty ransom himself from the torment of that Day by his children. 11 His wife and his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 And all that are in the earth, if then it might deliver him. 14 No! Indeed, it is the Flame [of Hell], 15 that will strip off the scalp. 16 and it will claim all those who turned their backs [on the true faith] and turned away [from the truth], 17 and amassed wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ VERILY, man is born with a restless disposition. 19 When they are afflicted, they complain, 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 Who persevere in devotion, 23 They are those who assign a certain share of their property 24 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense 26 and go in fear of the punishment of their Lord, 27 the punishment of their Lord is not something for them to feel secure of, 28 and who are mindful of their chastity, 29 save from their wives and what their right hands own, then not being blameworthy 30 but those who go beyond that limit are transgressors; 31 and who preserve their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who keep a guard on their prayer, 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35