The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 The unbelievers-- there is none to avert it-- 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 Whereby the angels ascend unto Him and also the spirit, On a Day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore be patient, with a beautiful patience; 5 Verily they behold it afar off. 6 But We see it very near. 7 The Day that the sky will be like molten brass, 8 and the mountains will become like tufts of wool, 9 And no familiar friend will ask a question of 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 wife and his brother 12 And his nearest kindred who shelter him 13 and whosoever is in the earth, altogether, so that it might save him. 14 By no means! For the raging flames of the fire 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 It will summon whoever turns his back and flees, 17 who amassed and hoarded. 18 ۞ Verily man is impatient by nature: 19 Irritable (discontented) when evil touches him; 20 And niggardly when good reaches him;- 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 and are constant in their Prayer; 23 And those in whose wealth there is a fixed portion. 24 For the beggar and the destitute; 25 And those who believe the Day of Judgement to be true. 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's torment 27 Verily! The torment of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure, 28 And those who protect their private organs (from adultery). 29 except from their wives and what their right hands own, for these they are not blameworthy. 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, then it is those who are trespassers. 31 And those who are to their trusts and promises attentive 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 all these shall live honourably in the Gardens. 35