The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 From Allah, Owner of the ascending steps. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit mount up, in a day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore endure with a goodly patience. 5 Lo! they behold it afar off 6 but, We see it as near! 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 and no bosom friend will enquire about any of his bosom friends 10 though they are in sight of each other. To ransom himself from the punishment of that Day, the sinner will wish that he might even ransom himself by his sons, 11 And his wife and his brother 12 And the nearest of his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And whoever is on earth entirely [so] then it could save him. 14 But never. It is pure white flame 15 tearing away his skin! 16 It invites he who turned his back [on truth] and went away [from obedience] 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from spending it in the Cause of Allah). 18 ۞ Verily, man (disbeliever) was created very impatient; 19 When they are afflicted, they complain, 20 And refraining, when good reaches him. 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 Those who are constant at their prayer 23 those who give a due share of their wealth 24 For the beggar who asks, and for the unlucky who has lost his property and wealth, (and his means of living has been straitened); 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense 26 and are fearful of the punishment of their Lord; 27 Surely no one can be secure from the punishment of his Lord, -- 28 and those who guard their private parts, 29 Save in regard to their spouses or those whom their right hands own; so verily they are not blameworthy 30 but those who go beyond that limit are transgressors; 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies. 33 And those who guard (the sacredness) of their worship;- 34 Those shall be in gardens, honored. 35