The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 the unbelievers which none can prevent. 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 The angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years, 4 (Muhammad), exercise patience with no complaints. 5 behold, they see it as if far off; 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 On that Day the heaven shall become like molten copper, 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 And not a friend shall ask a friend, 10 though they may be in one another's sight: [for,] everyone who was lost in sin will on that Day but desire to ransom himself from suffering at the price of his own children, 11 His wife and his brother, 12 his kinsmen who gave him refuge (from hardship) 13 and whosoever is in the earth, all together, so that then it might deliver him. 14 Never! That is indeed a blazing fire. 15 that will strip off the scalp. 16 and it will claim all those who turned their backs [on the true faith] and turned away [from the truth], 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 Fretful when evil befalleth him 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he grows niggardly. 21 except those that pray 22 Those who remain constant in their Salat (prayers); 23 And those in whose wealth exists a recognised right, 24 for such as ask [for help] and such as are deprived [of what is good in life]; 25 And those who believe the Day of Judgement to be true. 26 who are afraid of the torment of their Lord, 27 Surely the chastisement of their Lord is (a thing) not to be felt secure of-- 28 and who are mindful of their chastity, 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 whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 and who stand firm whenever they bear witness; 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 all these shall live honourably in the Gardens. 35