The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 those who deny the truth. [Know, then, that] nothing can ward it off, 2 (A punishment) from Allah, the Owner of the Elevated Passages. 3 The angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years, 4 So be patient with gracious patience. 5 Indeed, they see it [as] distant, 6 But We see it [as] near. 7 On the day when the heaven shall be as molten copper 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 And no friend will ask concerning his friend. 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 family in which he was. 13 And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: 14 But no! There is a raging blaze 15 Plucking out (his being) right to the skull!- 16 and drag into it anyone who has turned away (from obeying God), 17 and amass [wealth] and thereupon withhold [it from their fellow-men]. 18 ۞ Lo! man was created anxious, 19 Fretful when evil befalleth him 20 And when good toucheth him he is begrudging. 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 who are steadfast in prayer; 23 They are those who assign a certain share of their property 24 For the petitioner and the deprived - 25 who acknowledge the Day of Judgment, 26 And those who are fearful of the chastisement of their Lord-- 27 for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure; 28 and those who guard their private parts, 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 whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 and who preserve their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who protect their prayers. 34 Such will be the honoured ones in the Gardens (of Bliss). 35