The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
A beseecher besought the visitation of chastisement, 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 From Allah, the Lord of all pinnacles. 3 Whereby the angels ascend unto Him and also the spirit, On a Day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore endure with a goodly patience. 5 They see the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event): 6 but We see it near. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the sky will become like molten brass, 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 And no friend will ask after a 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 of all the kinsfolk who ever sheltered him, 13 and all those on earth. 14 By no means! Verily, it will be the Fire of Hell! 15 tearing away his skin! 16 and it will claim all those who turned their backs [on the true faith] and turned away [from the truth], 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from spending it in the Cause of Allah). 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 bewailing when evil befalls him, 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 Those who remain constant in their Salat (prayers); 23 And in whose wealth there is a right acknowledged 24 for such as ask [for help] and such as are deprived [of what is good in life]; 25 those who firmly believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 27 Lo! the doom of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure - 28 And those who guard their sex except from their wives and women slaves of old 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 And whosoever seeketh beyond that, then it is those who are the trespassers 31 And those who keep their trusts and covenants; 32 and perform their witnessings, 33 and who guard their prayers [from all worldly intent]. 34 all these shall live honourably in the Gardens. 35