The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 for the unbelievers, which none may avert, 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 The angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years, 4 Wherefore be thou patient with a becoming patience. 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 The Day that the sky will be like molten brass, 8 and the mountains will become like dyed tufts of wool, 9 And no friend inquires after friend 10 They will be shown each other. The criminal will wish that he could be ransomed from the punishment of that Day by his children 11 his wife, his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: 14 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 That would skin the scalp. 16 and drag into it anyone who has turned away (from obeying God), 17 And masseth and then hoardeth. 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 When evil toucheth him, he is bewailing. 20 And when good toucheth him he is begrudging. 21 except those who are steadfast 22 and constant in their prayers. 23 and those in whose wealth there is a known right 24 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); 25 those who firmly believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who fear the torment of their Lord, 27 Indeed, the punishment of their Lord is not that from which one is safe - 28 And those who preserve their chastity 29 except from their spouses and those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock], for which they incur no blame -- 30 but any who seeks to go beyond that, it is indeed they who are the transgressors, 31 and who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges: 32 And those who are firm upon their testimonies. 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 Those shall be in gardens, honored. 35