The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can repel, 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: 4 Therefore be patient, with a beautiful patience; 5 behold, they see it as if far off; 6 but We see it near at hand. 7 The day when the sky will become as molten copper, 8 and the mountains will become like tufts of wool, 9 And no friend will ask concerning his friend. 10 although they shall be within sight of one another. The guilty one would fain ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his children, 11 And his wife and his brother. 12 And his kin that harboured him 13 And all those who are in the earth – then only if the redemption saves him! 14 By no means! Verily it is a Flame. 15 snatching away 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 collect (wealth) and hide it (from spending it in the Cause of Allah). 18 ۞ Indeed, the human was created grudging and impatient. 19 when evil visits him, impatient, 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he grows niggardly. 21 Not so, however, those who consciously turn towards God in prayer. 22 who are constant in prayer; 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 24 For the beggar and the destitute; 25 And those who accept the truth of the judgment day 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord, -- 27 surely the chastisement of their Lord is a thing none can feel secure from – 28 And those who guard their private parts, 29 except in regard to their spouses and those whom their right hands possess, for in regard to them they are not reproachable, 30 (but whoso seeks after more than that, they are the transgressors), 31 and who preserve their trusts and their covenant, 32 and those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who are mindful of their moral obligations. 34 Those are highly honored in the Gardens. 35