The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can avert, 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 3 by which the angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in one Day the duration of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore endure with a goodly patience. 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 but We see it is nigh. 7 The day when the sky will be like molten silver. 8 and the mountains will become like dyed tufts of wool, 9 And friend shall not ask of 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 wife and his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 And all that are in the earth, so that it might save him. 14 No! Indeed, it is the Flame [of Hell], 15 Flaying off the scalp-skin. 16 calling him who drew back and turned away, 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from use)! 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 And niggardly when good befalls him 21 Not so, however, those who consciously turn towards God in prayer. 22 who are steadfast in prayer; 23 And those in whose riches is a known right. 24 to those who ask [for help] and to the destitute; 25 who confirm the Day of Doom 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord. 27 Lo! the doom of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure - 28 And those who guard their chastity, 29 Except with their wives and the bondwomen in their possession, for there is no reproach on them. 30 But whoever seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors - 31 and who preserve their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 and who take due care of their Prayer: 34 It is these who will be honoured in Gardens. 35