The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 To the disbelievers; of it there is no preventer. 2 From Allah, the Lord of all pinnacles. 3 To whom the angels and the soul take a day to ascend, whose length is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore patiently endure, in the best manner (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him). 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 while We think that it is near at hand. 7 On that Day the heaven shall become like molten copper, 8 and the mountains shall be as plucked wool-tufts, 9 and no bosom friend will enquire about any of his bosom friends 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 the kinsmen who gave him shelter, 13 And all those who are in the earth – then only if the redemption saves him! 14 By no means! For the raging flames of the fire 15 that will strip off the scalp. 16 It shall claim him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 and amassed wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Indeed man is created very impatient, greedy. 19 bewailing when evil befalls him, 20 And refraining, when good reaches him. 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 Those who are regular in their prayers. 23 They are those who assign a certain share of their property 24 for the impoverished nonrequester and the requester, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgment, 26 And those who are fearful of the punishment of their Lord - 27 Verily the torment of their Lord is not a thing to feel secure from. 28 those who preserve their chastity 29 save from their wives and what their right hands own, then not being blameworthy 30 But those who seek more than this will be transgressors; 31 And those who protect the property entrusted to them, and their agreements. 32 And those who are upright in their testimonies, 33 and who observe their prayers. 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35