The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A supplicant asked for a punishment bound to happen 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: 4 Wherefore be thou patient with a becoming patience. 5 They think that it (the Day of Judgment) is far away. 6 While we behold it nigh: 7 On that Day the heaven shall become like molten copper, 8 and the mountains shall be like puffs of wool. 9 No loyal friend will ask another loyal friend 10 Though they shall be made to see one another [(i.e. on the Day of Resurrection), there will be none but see his father, children and relatives, but he will neither speak to them nor will ask them for any help)], - the Mujrim, (criminal, sinner, disbeliever, etc.) would desire to ransom himself from the punishment of that Day by his children. 11 and of his spouse, and of his brother, 12 And his kin that harboured him 13 and whosoever is in the earth, all together, so that then it might deliver him. 14 But nay! Verily, all [that awaits him] is a raging flame, 15 Flaying off the scalp-skin. 16 Calling: "[O Kafir (O disbeliever in Allah, His angels, His Book, His Messengers, Day of Resurrection and in Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments), O Mushrik (O polytheist, disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah)] (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from Faith) [picking and swallowing them up from that great gathering of mankind (on the Day of Resurrection) just as a bird picks up a food-grain from the earth with its beak and swallows it up] [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, Vol. 18, Page 289] 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from use)! 18 ۞ Verily man is impatient by nature: 19 when misfortune touches him he starts lamenting, 20 If good comes to him he holds back his hand, 21 But not so the worshippers 22 Who are constant at their worship 23 They are those who assign a certain share of their property 24 for such as ask [for help] and such as are deprived [of what is good in life]; 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 and fear the chastisement of their Lord – 27 for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure; 28 and guard their private parts 29 Except in the case of their wives or those whom their right hands possess-- for these surely are not to be blamed, 30 But he who seeks to go beyond this, these it is that go beyond the limits-- 31 And those who respect their trusts and covenants; 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 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35