The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
Someone has (needlessly) demanded to experience the torment (of God), 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 From Allah, Owner of the ascending steps. 3 Whereby the angels ascend unto Him and also the spirit, On a Day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore patiently endure, in the best manner (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him). 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 but, We see it as near! 7 Upon the day when heaven shall be as molten copper 8 And the mountains will be like flakes of wool, 9 No loyal friend will ask another loyal friend 10 Though they will be given sight of them. The guilty man will long to be able to ransom himself from the punishment of that day at the price of his children 11 and his spouse and his brother, 12 And his kin that sheltered him. 13 and all persons of the earth, if only he could thus save himself. 14 By no means! Verily, it will be the Fire of Hell! 15 Flaying off the scalp-skin. 16 It shall insistently summon him who turned his back and retreated, 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Surely man is created of a hasty temperament 19 bewailing when evil befalls him, 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 Except those who establish prayer. 22 and constant in their prayers. 23 and those in whose wealth there is a known right 24 For those who beg, and for the needy who cannot even ask. 25 And those who testify to the Day of Requital. 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's torment 27 (from their Lord's chastisement none feels secure) 28 And those who guard their chastity, 29 Except with their wives and the bondwomen in their possession, for there is no reproach on them. 30 whereas such as seek to go beyond that [limit] are truly transgressors; 31 And those who fulfil their trusts and covenants, 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 Those shall be in Gardens, high-honoured. 35