The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
A caller supplicated about a punishment to fall on 1 Upon the disbelievers – the punishment that none can avert. 2 (A punishment) from Allah, the Owner of the Elevated Passages. 3 On that Day (of Judgment), long as fifty thousand years, the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him. 4 Therefore endure with a goodly patience. 5 behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away 6 but We see it near at hand. 7 On the Day the sky will be like murky oil, 8 and the mountains become like wool, 9 No loyal friend will ask another loyal friend 10 though they may see each other. A sinner will wish that he could save himself from the torment of that day by sacrificing his children, 11 And his wife and his brother, 12 And his nearest kindred who shelter him 13 And all who are on the earth; so that this might deliver him. 14 But no! There is a raging blaze 15 A fire that melts the hide. 16 and it shall call him who withdrew and turned his back 17 And masseth and then hoardeth. 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 bewailing when evil befalls him, 20 And when good toucheth him he is begrudging. 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); 25 and those who believe in the Day of Judgement 26 who are afraid of the torment of their Lord, 27 Verily! The torment of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure, 28 And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts from illegal sexual acts). 29 except from their spouses and those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock], for which they incur no blame -- 30 But he who seeks to go beyond this, these it is that go beyond the limits-- 31 and who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges: 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 and who are constant in their prayers. 34 They will live in gardens with honour. 35