The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 The infidels, of which there is no averter. 2 From Allah, the Lord of the ways of ascent. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 So persevere with becoming patience. 5 They see the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event): 6 But We see it [as] near. 7 On that Day the heaven shall become like molten copper, 8 and the mountains become like wool, 9 and no friend will ask about his friend, 10 They will be seeing them; the guilty will wish if only he could redeem himself from the punishment of that day, by offering his sons. 11 And his wife and his brother, 12 his kin who sheltered him, 13 And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: 14 Never! That is indeed a blazing fire. 15 Flaying off the scalp-skin. 16 It shall call him who turneth back and backslideth. 17 And hoarded (wealth) and withheld it. 18 ۞ Truly man was created very impatient;- 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 And, when good befalleth him, grudging; 21 save those that pray 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 And those in whose wealth there is a known right, 24 For him who begs and for him who is denied (good) 25 those who firmly believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who are fearful of the chastisement of their Lord-- 27 For their Lord's displeasure is the opposite of Peace and Tranquillity;- 28 And those who guard their chastity, 29 except from their wives and what their right hands own, for these they are not blameworthy. 30 But whoever seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors - 31 And those who are faithful to their trusts and their covenant 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35