The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can repel, 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit mount up, in a day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 So, (O Prophet), persevere with gracious perseverance. 5 Lo! they behold it afar off 6 but We see it near at hand. 7 On that Day the heavens shall become like molten brass, 8 And then the mountains shall become like unto wool dyed. 9 And friend shall not ask of 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 his companion wife, his brother, 12 And his kin that harboured him 13 And all those who are in the earth – then only if the redemption saves him! 14 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 Flaying off the scalp-skin. 16 Inviting (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from the Right). 17 And amasses (wealth) then shuts it up. 18 ۞ Verily man is impatient by nature: 19 Fretful when evil befalleth him 20 And when good toucheth him he is begrudging. 21 Except those devoted to Salat (prayers) 22 and constant in their prayers. 23 And those within whose wealth is a known right 24 for those that ask and those that are dispossessed, 25 who confirm the Day of Reckoning 26 and go in fear of the punishment of their Lord, 27 (from their Lord's chastisement none feels secure) 28 And those who preserve their chastity 29 Except with their wives and the (women slaves and captives) whom their right hands possess, for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 but any who seeks to go beyond that, it is indeed they who are the transgressors, 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 and who observe their prayers. 34 all these shall live honourably in the Gardens. 35