The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can avert, 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 all the angels and all the inspiration [ever granted to man] ascend unto Him [daily,] in a day the length whereof is [like] fifty thousand years… 4 So be thou patient with a sweet patience; 5 behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away 6 but We see it is nigh. 7 On that Day the heavens shall become like molten brass, 8 and the mountains will become like dyed tufts of wool, 9 and no friend will ask about his friend, 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 His wife and his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 and all those on earth. 14 By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell!- 15 stripping away his skin, 16 and it shall call him who withdrew and turned his back 17 And hoarded (wealth) and withheld it. 18 ۞ Surely man is created of a hasty temperament 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 except those who are steadfast 22 Those who are constant at their prayer 23 And those in whose wealth there is a fixed portion. 24 For the petitioner and the deprived - 25 And those who believe the Day of Judgement to be true. 26 And those who fear the torment of their Lord, 27 surely the chastisement of their Lord is a thing none can feel secure from – 28 And those who guard their private parts 29 Except in the case of their wives or those whom their right hands possess-- for these surely are not to be blamed, 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, then it is those who are trespassers. 31 who honor their trust and promises, 32 And those who are upright in their testimonies, 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 Such shall dwell in the Gardens (i.e. Paradise) honoured. 35