The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
A questioner questioned concerning the doom about to fall 1 for the unbelievers, which none may avert, 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 Whereby the angels ascend unto Him and also the spirit, On a Day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 Wherefore be thou patient with a becoming patience. 5 They see the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event): 6 while We think that it is near at hand. 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 and no bosom friend will enquire about any of his bosom friends 10 though they may be in one another's sight: [for,] everyone who was lost in sin will on that Day but desire to ransom himself from suffering at the price of his own children, 11 And his wife and his brother 12 And the family in which he was. 13 And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: 14 No, in truth, it is a Furnace! 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 It calls out to him who reverted and turned away. 17 Who amasses and then hoards. 18 ۞ Indeed, mankind was created anxious: 19 When evil toucheth him, he is bewailing. 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 except those that pray, 22 Who are constant at their worship 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 to those who ask [for help] and to the destitute; 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 and go in fear of the chastisement of their Lord 27 Verily! The torment of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure, 28 And those who guard their sex except from their wives and women slaves of old 29 Except with their wives and the bondwomen in their possession, for there is no reproach on them. 30 But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors;- 31 And those who protect the property entrusted to them, and their agreements. 32 and those who stand by their testimony 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 They will be honoured in the Gardens of Bliss. 35