The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 from God, the Lord of the Stairways. 3 by which the angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in one Day the duration of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore endure with a goodly patience. 5 Lo! they behold it afar off 6 And We see it nigh. 7 The Day that the sky will be like molten brass, 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 And no friend inquires after 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 wife and his brother 12 And his nearest kindred who shelter him 13 And all that are in the earth, so that it might save him. 14 But never. It is pure white flame 15 Dragging by the head, 16 and it shall call him who withdrew and turned his back 17 and amassed (riches) and hoarded. 18 ۞ Verily man is formed impatient. 19 bewailing when evil befalls him, 20 And niggardly when good reaches him;- 21 But not so the worshippers 22 who are constant in prayer; 23 And those in whose riches is a known right. 24 for the needy and the deprived, 25 and those who believe in the Day of Judgement 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord. 27 for none may ever feel secure from the punishment of their Lord; 28 and guard their private parts 29 Save in regard to their spouses or those whom their right hands own; so verily they are not blameworthy 30 So those who desire more than this – it is they who are the transgressors. 31 And those who respect their trusts and covenants; 32 and those who stand by their testimony 33 and who observe their prayers. 34 It is these who will be honoured in Gardens. 35