The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
A questioner questioned concerning the doom about to fall 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 So be patient with gracious patience. 5 They surely take it to be far away, 6 But We see it [as] near. 7 On the Day the sky will be like murky oil, 8 and the mountains will become like dyed tufts of wool, 9 and no bosom friend will enquire about any of his bosom friends 10 as they are given sight of them. The sinner will wish that he might ransom himself from the chastisement of that day even by his sons, 11 And his wife and his brother 12 And the nearest of his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all that are in the earth, if then it might deliver him. 14 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 Taking away (burning completely) the head skin! 16 and drag into it anyone who has turned away (from obeying God), 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from use)! 18 ۞ Indeed, man is born impatient: 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 And when good toucheth him he is begrudging. 21 save those that pray 22 [and] who incessantly persevere in their prayer 23 And those in whose wealth there is a fixed portion. 24 For the beggar and the destitute; 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgment, 26 and fear the chastisement of their Lord – 27 For their Lord's displeasure is the opposite of Peace and Tranquillity;- 28 And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts from illegal sexual acts). 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 any who seeks to go beyond that, it is indeed they who are the transgressors, 31 and who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges: 32 And those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who guard (the sacredness) of their worship;- 34 They will be in gardens, honored. 35