The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit mount up, in a day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 So be thou patient with a sweet patience; 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the heaven shall become like unto dregs of oil. 8 And the mountains will be like flakes of wool, 9 And not a friend shall ask a friend, 10 Though they shall be made to see one another. Fain would the guilty ransom himself from the torment of that Day by his children. 11 his wife, his brother, 12 his kin who sheltered him, 13 And all those who are in the earth – then only if the redemption saves him! 14 But never. It is pure white flame 15 will strip-off the flesh 16 and it will claim all those who turned their backs [on the true faith] and turned away [from the truth], 17 and amassed wealth and covetously hoarded it. 18 ۞ Verily man is impatient by nature: 19 If evil befalls him he is perturbed; 20 but when good comes upon him, he is grudging 21 except those who are steadfast 22 and are constant in their Prayer; 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 24 For those who beg, and for the needy who cannot even ask. 25 and who accept as true the [coming of the] Day of Judgment; 26 and fear the chastisement of their Lord – 27 surely the chastisement of their Lord is a thing none can feel secure from – 28 And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts from illegal sexual acts). 29 Save in regard to their spouses or those whom their right hands own; so verily they are not blameworthy 30 but those who go beyond that limit are transgressors; 31 and who preserve their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who are firm upon their testimonies. 33 and who take due care of their Prayer: 34 Such shall dwell in the Gardens (i.e. Paradise) honoured. 35