The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 Upon the disbelievers – the punishment that none can avert. 2 From Allah, the Lord of all pinnacles. 3 To whom the angels and the soul take a day to ascend, whose length is fifty thousand years. 4 But be patient (O Muhammad) with a patience fair to see. 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 While we behold it nigh: 7 The Day that the sky will be like molten brass, 8 And the hills will be light as wool. 9 No loyal friend will ask another loyal 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 spouse and his brother 12 his kinsmen who gave him refuge (from hardship) 13 And all those that are in the earth, (wishing) then (that) this might deliver him. 14 Never! That is indeed a blazing fire. 15 Dragging by the head, 16 It invites he who turned his back [on truth] and went away [from obedience] 17 And accumulated wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 When evil comes upon him he is impatient; 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 But not so the worshippers 22 Who are at their prayer constant. 23 And those in whose wealth there is a known right, 24 For the needy and those dispossessed, 25 who confirm the Day of Reckoning 26 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 27 (from their Lord's chastisement none feels secure) 28 And those who protect their private organs (from adultery). 29 Except with their wives and the (women slaves and captives) whom their right hands possess, for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 whereas such as seek to go beyond that [limit] are truly transgressors; 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 and who observe their prayers. 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35