The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
A questioner questioned concerning the doom about to fall 1 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- 2 from God, the Lord of the Stairways. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit mount up, in a day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 So be patient (O Muhammad SAW), with a good patience. 5 behold, they see it as if far off; 6 And We see it nigh. 7 The day when the sky will be like molten silver. 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 and [when] no friend will ask about his friend, 10 though they shall be within sight of each other. The guilty one will gladly ransom himself from the torment of that Day by sacrificing his own children, 11 And his spouse and his brother 12 his kin who sheltered him, 13 And all that are in the earth, so that it might save him. 14 But nay! Verily, all [that awaits him] is a raging flame, 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 It invites he who turned his back [on truth] and went away [from obedience] 17 And masseth and then hoardeth. 18 ۞ Indeed, man is born impatient: 19 When they are afflicted, they complain, 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he selfishly withholds it [from others]. 21 Not so, however, those who consciously turn towards God in prayer. 22 [and] who incessantly persevere in their prayer 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 For the beggar and the destitute. 25 And those who hold to the truth of the Day of Judgment; 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 who guard their privates 29 save from their wives and what their right hands own, then not being blameworthy 30 So those who desire more than this – it is they who are the transgressors. 31 and those who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges; 32 and who stand firm whenever they bear witness; 33 and who guard their prayers [from all worldly intent]. 34 Such shall dwell in the Gardens (i.e. Paradise) honoured. 35