The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- 2 From Allah, the Lord of the ways of Ascent. 3 To Him ascend the angels and the Spirit in a day the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 So be thou patient with a sweet patience; 5 They see it [the Day of Judgement] to be far off, 6 but, We see it as near! 7 On that Day the heavens shall become like molten brass, 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 And no friend will ask concerning his friend. 10 as they are given sight of them. The sinner will wish that he might ransom himself from the chastisement of that day even by his sons, 11 His wife and his brother, 12 And his nearest kindred who shelter him 13 And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: 14 Nay, verily it is a furnace 15 Plucking out (his being) right to the skull!- 16 It shall insistently summon him who turned his back and retreated, 17 And amasses (wealth) then shuts it up. 18 ۞ Verily, man (disbeliever) was created very impatient; 19 bewailing when evil befalls him, 20 And niggardly when good reaches him;- 21 except those that pray, 22 Who are at their prayer constant. 23 And those in whose wealth there is a known right, 24 For the needy and those dispossessed, 25 And those who believe the Day of Judgement to be true. 26 and go in fear of the punishment of their Lord, 27 Indeed the punishment of their Lord is not a thing to be unafraid of! 28 and who are mindful of their chastity, 29 Except in the case of their wives or those whom their right hands possess-- for these surely are not to be blamed, 30 but whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 and who guard their prayers [from all worldly intent]. 34 They will be in gardens, honored. 35