The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 To the disbelievers; of it there is no preventer. 2 from God, the Lord of the Stairways. 3 The angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years, 4 So persevere with becoming patience. 5 Indeed, they see it [as] distant, 6 but We see it is nigh. 7 Upon the day when heaven shall be as molten copper 8 And the hills will be light as wool. 9 No loyal friend will ask another loyal friend 10 They will be seeing them; the guilty will wish if only he could redeem himself from the punishment of that day, by offering his sons. 11 And his spouse and his brother 12 his kinsmen who gave him refuge (from hardship) 13 And all that are in the earth, so that it might save him. 14 But no! There is a raging blaze 15 Dragging by the head, 16 Inviting (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from the Right). 17 And amasses (wealth) then shuts it up. 18 ۞ Verily man is impatient by nature: 19 when evil visits him, impatient, 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 Those who remain constant in their Salat (prayers); 23 And in whose wealth there is a right acknowledged 24 for the impoverished nonrequester and the requester, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 and who stand in dread of their Sustainer's chastisement 27 Indeed the punishment of their Lord is not a thing to be unafraid of! 28 and guard their private parts 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 seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors - 31 And those who are faithful to their trusts and their covenant 32 And those who are upright in their testimonies, 33 and who guard their prayers [from all worldly intent]. 34 Such shall dwell in the Gardens (i.e. Paradise) honoured. 35