The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 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 The angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him during a Day the extent of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore, [O believers] behave with seemly patience. 5 they see it as being far off; 6 And We see it nigh. 7 The Day that the sky will be like molten brass, 8 and the mountains will become like dyed tufts of wool, 9 And no friend will ask of a friend, 10 though they shall be within sight of each other. The guilty one will gladly ransom himself from the torment of that Day by sacrificing his own children, 11 and his spouse and his brother, 12 And his kin that sheltered him. 13 And all those who are in the earth – then only if the redemption saves him! 14 But never. It is pure white flame 15 Eager to roast; 16 It will claim all such as turn their backs [on what is right,] and turn away [from the truth,] 17 and who accumulated wealth without spending it for a good purpose. 18 ۞ Lo! man was created anxious, 19 When they are afflicted, they complain, 20 If good comes to him he holds back his hand, 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 Those who remain constant in their Salat (prayers); 23 who, from their wealth is a known right 24 for those that ask and those that are dispossessed, 25 who acknowledge the Day of Judgment, 26 and who stand in dread of their Sustainer's chastisement 27 the punishment of their Lord is not something for them to feel secure of, 28 And those who guard their sex except from their wives and women slaves of old 29 Except in the case of their wives or those whom their right hands possess-- for these surely are not to be blamed, 30 whereas such as seek to go beyond that [limit] are truly transgressors; 31 And those who keep their trusts and covenants; 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies. 33 And those who of their prayer are observant. 34 Those shall be in gardens, honored. 35