The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
A questioner asked about a Penalty to befall- 1 those who deny the truth. [Know, then, that] nothing can ward it off, 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord 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 patiently endure, in the best manner (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him). 5 They deem it to be remote. 6 but, We see it as near! 7 On the day when the heavens become like molten metal. 8 The mountains like the tufts of (carded) wool, 9 And no familiar friend will ask a question of his friend 10 Though they will be put in sight of each other,- the sinner's desire will be: Would that he could redeem himself from the Penalty of that Day by (sacrificing) his children, 11 And his spouse and his brother 12 and his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all that are in the earth, if then it might deliver him. 14 No, in truth, it is a Furnace! 15 Dragging by the head, 16 Calling: "[O Kafir (O disbeliever in Allah, His angels, His Book, His Messengers, Day of Resurrection and in Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments), O Mushrik (O polytheist, disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah)] (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from Faith) [picking and swallowing them up from that great gathering of mankind (on the Day of Resurrection) just as a bird picks up a food-grain from the earth with its beak and swallows it up] [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, Vol. 18, Page 289] 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from use)! 18 ۞ Indeed man is created very impatient, greedy. 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 And when good toucheth him he is begrudging. 21 Except those who establish prayer. 22 and are constant in their Prayer; 23 who, from their wealth is a known right 24 For the beggar and the destitute; 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgement, 26 and fear the chastisement of their Lord – 27 Indeed, the punishment of their Lord is not that from which one is safe - 28 who guard their privates 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 who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges: 32 Who uphold their testimonies, 33 and who guard their prayers [from all worldly intent]. 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35