The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 for the unbelievers, which none may avert, 2 From Allah, Owner of the ascending steps. 3 The angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years, 4 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 But We see it very near. 7 The Day that the sky will be like molten brass, 8 And the mountains shall be as tufts of wool 9 And no friend will ask after a 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 And the family in which he was. 13 And all those who are in the earth – then only if the redemption saves him! 14 By no means! It will be the fierce flame 15 Flaying off the scalp-skin. 16 and it shall call him who withdrew and turned his back 17 and amassed wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Indeed, the human was created grudging and impatient. 19 When evil toucheth him, he is bewailing. 20 And when good touches him, withholding [of it], 21 Except those who pray, 22 Who are at their prayer constant. 23 In whose wealth a due share is included 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 fear the chastisement of their Lord – 27 Lo! the doom of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure - 28 And those who guard their sex except from their wives and women slaves of old 29 [not giving way to their desires] with any but their spouses - that is, those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock]: for then, behold, they are free of all blame, 30 But he who seeks to go beyond this, these it is that go beyond the limits-- 31 And those who keep their pledges and their covenant, 32 And those who are firm upon their testimonies. 33 And those who keep a guard on their prayer, 34 Those are highly honored in the Gardens. 35