The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can avert, 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 by which the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him in one Day which will last for fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). 5 They see the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event): 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the sky will become like molten brass, 8 and the mountains will become like tufts of wool, 9 And no friend will ask of a 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 his kinsmen who gave him refuge (from hardship) 13 and all persons of the earth, if only he could thus save himself. 14 By no means! Verily it is a Flame. 15 That would skin the scalp. 16 It shall claim him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 and amassed (riches) and hoarded. 18 ۞ Lo! man was created anxious, 19 When evil comes upon him he is impatient; 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he grows niggardly. 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 those who give a due share of their wealth 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 Recompense, 26 And those who are fearful of the punishment of their Lord - 27 Indeed, the punishment of their Lord is not that from which one is safe - 28 And those who guard their private parts 29 Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they are not to be blamed - 30 And whosoever seeketh beyond that, then it is those who are the trespassers 31 And those who are to their trusts and promises attentive 32 And those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 all these shall live honourably in the Gardens. 35