The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
A supplicant asked for a punishment bound to happen 1 for the unbelievers, which none may avert, 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 by which the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him in one Day which will last for fifty thousand years. 4 So, (O Prophet), persevere with gracious perseverance. 5 They surely take it to be far away, 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 On the day when the heaven shall be as molten copper 8 and the mountains shall be as plucked wool-tufts, 9 and [when] no friend will ask about his friend, 10 Though within sight of one another. The sinner would like to ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his sons, 11 and his spouse and his brother, 12 And the nearest of his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 and all the people of the earth, if that could deliver him. 14 By no means! It will be the fierce flame 15 snatching away the scalp, 16 Calling: "[O Kafir (O disbeliever in Allah, His angels, His Book, His Messengers, Day of Resurrection and in Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments), O Mushrik (O polytheist, disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah)] (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from Faith) [picking and swallowing them up from that great gathering of mankind (on the Day of Resurrection) just as a bird picks up a food-grain from the earth with its beak and swallows it up] [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, Vol. 18, Page 289] 17 And amasses (wealth) then shuts it up. 18 ۞ Indeed man is created very impatient, greedy. 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he grows niggardly. 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 the beggar and the destitute. 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 27 for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure; 28 And those who protect their private organs (from adultery). 29 Except in the case of their wives or those whom their right hands possess-- for these surely are not to be blamed, 30 And whosoever seeketh beyond that, then it is those who are the trespassers 31 and those who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges; 32 And those who are firm upon their testimonies. 33 and who guard their prayers [from all worldly intent]. 34 It is these who will be honoured in Gardens. 35