The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 The unbelievers-- there is none to avert it-- 2 (A Penalty) from Allah, Lord of the Ways of Ascent. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit mount up, in a day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 But be patient (O Muhammad) with a patience fair to see. 5 behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away 6 while We think that it is near at hand. 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 And the hills will be light as wool. 9 And not a friend shall ask a friend, 10 Though they will be put in sight of each other,- the sinner's desire will be: Would that he could redeem himself from the Penalty of that Day by (sacrificing) his children, 11 And his wife and his brother. 12 And his kin that harboured him 13 And all that are in the earth, so that it might save him. 14 But never. It is pure white flame 15 Flaying off the scalp-skin. 16 It calls out to him who reverted and turned away. 17 And masseth and then hoardeth. 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 And when good toucheth him he is begrudging. 21 Save worshippers. 22 and are constant in their Prayer; 23 And those in whose wealth exists a recognised right, 24 for the beggar and the outcast, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's doom - 27 Surely the chastisement of their Lord is (a thing) not to be felt secure of-- 28 And those who of their private parts are guards. 29 Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they are not to be blamed - 30 But he who seeks to go beyond this, these it is that go beyond the limits-- 31 and who preserve their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who stand by their testimony 33 and who take due care of their Prayer: 34 Such shall dwell in the Gardens (i.e. Paradise) honoured. 35