The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 those who deny the truth. [Know, then, that] nothing can ward it off, 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). 5 Indeed, they see it [as] distant, 6 but We see it to be very near. 7 On that Day the heavens shall become like molten brass, 8 And the mountains will be like flakes of wool, 9 even intimate friends will not inquire about their friends, 10 They will be shown each other. The criminal will wish that he could be ransomed from the punishment of that Day by his children 11 His wife and his brother, 12 And his kin that harboured him 13 and all the people of the earth, if that could deliver him. 14 By no means! Verily, it will be the Fire of Hell! 15 Plucking out (his being) right to the skull!- 16 It calleth him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Indeed man is created very impatient, greedy. 19 Irritable (discontented) when evil touches him; 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 Save worshippers. 22 and continue at their prayers, 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 for such as ask [for help] and such as are deprived [of what is good in life]; 25 those who firmly believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 27 Lo! the doom 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 [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 but those who go beyond that limit are transgressors; 31 And those who keep their pledges and their covenant, 32 And those who are in their testimonies upright 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 These will dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35