The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit mount up, in a day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 So be thou patient with a sweet patience; 5 Lo! they behold it afar off 6 But We see it very near. 7 The Day that the sky will be like the boiling filth of oil, (or molten copper or silver or lead, etc.). 8 and the mountains shall be like puffs of wool. 9 even intimate friends will not inquire about their friends, 10 Though they will be put in sight of each other,- the sinner's desire will be: Would that he could redeem himself from the Penalty of that Day by (sacrificing) his children, 11 And his wife and his brother. 12 And his kin that harboured him 13 and of whoever [else] lives on earth, all of them - so that he could but save himself. 14 By no means! Verily, it will be the Fire of Hell! 15 A fire that melts the hide. 16 It calleth him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from use)! 18 ۞ Verily, man (disbeliever) was created very impatient; 19 bewailing when evil befalls him, 20 when good visits him, grudging, 21 except those that pray 22 Those who are constant at their prayer 23 And those in whose wealth there is a fixed portion. 24 For the needy and those dispossessed, 25 who confirm the Day of Doom 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord. 27 for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure; 28 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 those who go beyond that limit are transgressors; 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who are mindful of their moral obligations. 34 Those shall be in Gardens, high-honoured. 35