The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Someone has (needlessly) demanded to experience the torment (of God), 1 which will inevitably seize the disbelievers. 2 From Allah, the Lord of the ways of ascent. 3 Whereby the angels ascend unto Him and also the spirit, On a Day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 (Muhammad), exercise patience with no complaints. 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 The Day that the sky will be like the boiling filth of oil, (or molten copper or silver or lead, etc.). 8 And the mountains will be like flakes of wool, 9 And no friend will ask concerning his friend. 10 They will be seeing them; the guilty will wish if only he could redeem himself from the punishment of that day, by offering his sons. 11 And his wife and his brother 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 And all those that are in the earth, (wishing) then (that) this might deliver him. 14 By no means! Verily it is a Flame. 15 will strip-off the flesh 16 It invites he who turned his back [on truth] and went away [from obedience] 17 who amassed and hoarded. 18 ۞ Indeed, mankind was created anxious: 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 Who are at their prayer constant. 23 And in whose wealth there is a right acknowledged 24 For the beggar and the destitute. 25 And those who hold to the truth of the Day of Judgment; 26 who are afraid of the torment of their Lord, 27 Verily the torment of their Lord is not a thing to feel secure from. 28 who guard their privates 29 [not giving way to their desires] with any but their spouses - that is, those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock]: for then, behold, they are free of all blame, 30 but any who seeks to go beyond that, it is indeed they who are the transgressors, 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 and are steadfast in their prayers. 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35