The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
Someone has (needlessly) demanded to experience the torment (of God), 1 for the unbelievers, which none may avert, 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 all the angels and all the inspiration [ever granted to man] ascend unto Him [daily,] in a day the length whereof is [like] fifty thousand years… 4 But be patient (O Muhammad) with a patience fair to see. 5 behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away 6 But We see it (quite) near. 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 And no friend will ask after a 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 wife and his brother. 12 his kin who sheltered him, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, all together, so that then it might deliver him. 14 No, in truth, it is a Furnace! 15 will strip-off the flesh 16 Inviting (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from the Right). 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Indeed, mankind was created anxious: 19 When evil comes upon him he is impatient; 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he selfishly withholds it [from others]. 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 And those within whose wealth is a known right 24 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); 25 And those who believe the Day of Judgement to be true. 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's torment 27 Surely the chastisement of their Lord is (a thing) not to be felt secure of-- 28 who guard their carnal desires 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 And whosoever seeketh beyond that, then it is those who are the trespassers 31 and who preserve their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who are attentive at their worship. 34 They will live in gardens with honour. 35