The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 No one can defend him against God, the Lord of the exalted positions. 3 by which the angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in one Day the duration of which is fifty thousand years. 4 So persevere with becoming patience. 5 behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away 6 But We see it [as] near. 7 The day when the sky will be like molten silver. 8 and the mountains will become like dyed tufts of wool, 9 even intimate friends will not inquire about their friends, 10 although they shall be within sight of one another. The guilty one would fain ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his children, 11 and his spouse and his brother, 12 His kindred who sheltered him, 13 And all those who are on the earth, to save himself. 14 No! Indeed, it is the Flame [of Hell], 15 Eager to roast; 16 It shall claim him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 and amassed (riches) and hoarded. 18 ۞ VERILY, man is born with a restless disposition. 19 When evil toucheth him, he is bewailing. 20 And niggardly when good reaches him;- 21 Except those who pray, 22 [and] who incessantly persevere in their prayer 23 And those in whose wealth exists a recognised right, 24 for the beggar and the outcast, 25 And those who testify to the Day of Requital. 26 and go in fear of the chastisement of their Lord 27 for none is secure from the punishment of their Lord, 28 And those who protect their private organs (from adultery). 29 Are free of blame, 30 And whosoever seeketh beyond that, then it is those who are the trespassers 31 and those who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges; 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who protect their prayers. 34 Those shall be in Gardens, high-honoured. 35