The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A beseecher besought the visitation of chastisement, 1 Upon the infidels -- which none would be able to repel -- 2 [since it will come] from God, unto whom there are many ways of ascent: 3 The angels and Jibreel, ascend towards Him – the punishment will befall on a day which spans fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 They surely take it to be far away, 6 And We see it nigh. 7 The Day that the sky will be like the boiling filth of oil, (or molten copper or silver or lead, etc.). 8 and the mountains become like wool, 9 even intimate friends will not inquire about their friends, 10 Though they shall be made to see one another [(i.e. on the Day of Resurrection), there will be none but see his father, children and relatives, but he will neither speak to them nor will ask them for any help)], - the Mujrim, (criminal, sinner, disbeliever, etc.) would desire to ransom himself from the punishment of that Day by his children. 11 His wife and his brother, 12 and of all the kinsfolk who ever sheltered him, 13 and all persons of the earth, if only he could thus save himself. 14 But nay! Verily, all [that awaits him] is a raging flame, 15 Flaying off the scalp-skin. 16 It shall claim him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 And hoarded (wealth) and withheld it. 18 ۞ Surely man is created of a hasty temperament 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 And niggardly when good touches him; 21 Except the observers of prayer - 22 who are steadfast in prayer; 23 And those within whose wealth is a known right 24 for the impoverished nonrequester and the requester, 25 who confirm the Day of Doom 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord. 27 For their Lord's displeasure is the opposite of Peace and Tranquillity;- 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 seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors - 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 and standby their witnessing, 33 And those who of their prayer are observant. 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35