The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- 2 From Allah, the Lord of all pinnacles. 3 The angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years, 4 (Muhammad), exercise patience with no complaints. 5 behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the sky will become like molten brass, 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 And friend shall not ask of friend 10 although they shall be within sight of one another. The guilty one would fain ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his children, 11 and of his spouse, and of his brother, 12 And his kin that harboured him 13 and all persons of the earth, if only he could thus save himself. 14 By no means! Verily it is a Flame. 15 snatching away the scalp, 16 It shall call him who turneth back and backslideth. 17 who amassed and hoarded. 18 ۞ Verily, man (disbeliever) was created very impatient; 19 when evil visits him, impatient, 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he selfishly withholds it [from others]. 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 and continue at their prayers, 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 24 For the beggar and the destitute; 25 who confirm the Day of Reckoning 26 and are fearful of the punishment of their Lord; 27 For their Lord's displeasure is the opposite of Peace and Tranquillity;- 28 those who preserve their chastity 29 Save with their wives and those whom their right hands possess, for thus they are not blameworthy; 30 (but whoso seeks after more than that, they are the transgressors), 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 and who are constant in their prayers. 34 Those are highly honored in the Gardens. 35