The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
A supplicant asked for a punishment bound to happen 1 To the disbelievers; of it there is no preventer. 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore endure with a goodly patience. 5 they see it as being far off; 6 but We see it near. 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 And no friend will ask concerning 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 his kindred who sheltered him, 13 And all those that are in the earth, (wishing) then (that) this might deliver him. 14 No, in truth, it is a Furnace! 15 stripping away his skin, 16 It shall insistently summon him who turned his back and retreated, 17 And accumulated wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Surely man was created fretful, 19 when misfortune touches him he starts lamenting, 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 except those that pray, 22 Who persevere in devotion, 23 And those in whose wealth there is a known right, 24 For the beggar and the destitute; 25 and who accept as true the [coming of the] Day of Judgment; 26 who are afraid of the torment of their Lord, 27 Surely no one can be secure from the punishment of his Lord, -- 28 And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts from illegal sexual acts). 29 Save with their wives and those whom their right hands possess, for thus they are not blameworthy; 30 But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors;- 31 and who preserve 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 They will live in gardens with honour. 35