The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 for the unbelievers, which none may avert, 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 3 The angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years, 4 So be thou patient with a sweet patience; 5 behold, they see it as if far off; 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 Upon the day when heaven shall be as molten copper 8 And the hills will be light as wool. 9 And no familiar friend will ask a question of his friend 10 though they shall be within sight of each other. The guilty one will gladly ransom himself from the torment of that Day by sacrificing his own children, 11 And his spouse and his brother. 12 His kindred who sheltered him, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, all together, so that then it might deliver him. 14 No, in truth, it is a Furnace! 15 tearing away his skin! 16 It calleth him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 and amassed wealth and covetously hoarded it. 18 ۞ Indeed man is created very impatient, greedy. 19 Very nervous when touched by misfortune. 20 And niggardly when good touches him; 21 except those that pray 22 Those who are constant in their prayer 23 In whose wealth a due share is included 24 For the beggar and the destitute; 25 And those who accept the truth of the judgment day 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's torment 27 the punishment of their Lord is not something for them to feel secure of, 28 And those who guard their private parts, 29 Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they are not to be blamed - 30 whereas such as seek to go beyond that [limit] are truly transgressors; 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 And those who stand by their testimony 33 and who are constant in their prayers. 34 Such shall dwell in the Gardens (i.e. Paradise) honoured. 35