The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
A supplicant asked for a punishment bound to happen 1 which will inevitably seize the disbelievers. 2 (A Penalty) from Allah, Lord of the Ways of Ascent. 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 Lo! they behold it afar off 6 but We see it near at hand. 7 The day when the sky will become as molten copper, 8 and the mountains will become like dyed tufts of wool, 9 And no friend will ask concerning his friend. 10 Though they shall be made to see one another. Fain would the guilty ransom himself from the torment of that Day by his children. 11 and of his spouse, and of his brother, 12 And his kin that harboured him 13 And all that are in the earth, so that it might save him. 14 No, in truth, it is a Furnace! 15 That would skin the scalp. 16 It shall insistently summon him who turned his back and retreated, 17 And accumulated wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 When they are afflicted, they complain, 20 And niggardly when good reaches him;- 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 Those who are constant in their prayer 23 And those in whose wealth exists a recognised right, 24 For him who begs and for him who is denied (good) 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgment, 26 and are fearful of the punishment of their Lord; 27 Surely the chastisement of their Lord is (a thing) not to be felt secure of-- 28 and those who guard their private parts, 29 Are free of blame, 30 but whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 and who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges: 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 Those shall be in Gardens, high-honoured. 35