The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 Upon the disbelievers – the punishment that none can avert. 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: 4 So persevere with becoming patience. 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 but We see it to be very near. 7 The day when the sky will become as molten copper, 8 and the mountains will be like tufts of wool, 9 even intimate friends will not inquire about their friends, 10 though they shall be within sight of each other. The guilty one will gladly ransom himself from the torment of that Day by sacrificing his own children, 11 And his wife and his brother. 12 His kindred who sheltered him, 13 And all that are in the earth, so that it might save him. 14 By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell!- 15 stripping away his skin, 16 It shall insistently summon him who turned his back and retreated, 17 and amassed wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Indeed, the human was created grudging and impatient. 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he grows niggardly. 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 Those who are constant in their prayer 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 24 For the beggar and the destitute; 25 who confirm the Day of Reckoning 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's doom - 27 Indeed the punishment of their Lord is not a thing to be unafraid of! 28 who guard their privates 29 except from their spouses and those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock], for which they incur no blame -- 30 But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors;- 31 and those who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges; 32 and standby their witnessing, 33 And those who of their prayer are observant. 34 all these shall live honourably in the Gardens. 35