The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 (A Penalty) from Allah, Lord of the Ways of Ascent. 3 (Whereby) the angels and the Spirit ascend unto Him in a Day whereof the span is fifty thousand years. 4 But be patient (O Muhammad) with a patience fair to see. 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 While we behold it nigh: 7 Upon the day when heaven shall be as molten copper 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 no loyal friend shall question loyal friend, 10 (Though) they shall be made to see each other. The guilty one would fain redeem himself from the chastisement of that day by (sacrificing) his children, 11 And his wife and his brother 12 the kinsmen who gave him shelter, 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 Eager to roast; 16 and it shall call him who withdrew and turned his back 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Indeed man is created very impatient, greedy. 19 Very nervous when touched by misfortune. 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he selfishly withholds it [from others]. 21 except those that pray 22 Those who are regular in their prayers. 23 And those in whose riches is a known right. 24 For the beggar who asks, and for the unlucky who has lost his property and wealth, (and his means of living has been straitened); 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgement, 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord. 27 Surely no one can be secure from the punishment of his Lord, -- 28 And those who guard their private parts, 29 Except with their wives and the (women slaves and captives) whom their right hands possess, for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors;- 31 and who preserve their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who are upright in their testimonies, 33 and who are constant in their prayers. 34 Such will be the honoured ones in the Gardens (of Bliss). 35