The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 Upon the disbelievers – the punishment that none can avert. 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 The angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years, 4 So be patient with gracious patience. 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 and the mountains shall be like puffs of wool. 9 no loyal friend shall question 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 His wife and his brother, 12 And the family in which he was. 13 And all who are on the earth; so that this might deliver him. 14 Never! That is indeed a blazing fire. 15 Plucking out (his being) right to the skull!- 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 amassed (riches) and hoarded. 18 ۞ Surely man is created of a hasty temperament 19 Very nervous when touched by misfortune. 20 And niggardly when good reaches him;- 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 who are steadfast in prayer; 23 and those in whose wealth there is a known right 24 For the needy and those dispossessed, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who are fearful of the punishment of their Lord - 27 Verily the torment of their Lord is not a thing to feel secure from. 28 and guard their private parts 29 Except with their wives and the bondwomen in their possession, for there is no reproach on them. 30 So those who desire more than this – it is they who are the transgressors. 31 And those who respect their trusts and covenants; 32 who testify to what they have witnessed, 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