The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A questioner asked about a Penalty to befall- 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 (A Penalty) from Allah, Lord of the Ways of Ascent. 3 The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: 4 Wherefore be thou patient with a becoming patience. 5 behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away 6 but We see it to be very near. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the heaven shall become like unto dregs of oil. 8 And the hills will be light as wool. 9 and no friend will ask about his friend, 10 Though they will be put in sight of each other,- the sinner's desire will be: Would that he could redeem himself from the Penalty of that Day by (sacrificing) his children, 11 And his spouse and his brother. 12 His kindred who sheltered him, 13 And all those who are on the earth, to save himself. 14 But never. It is pure white flame 15 A fire that melts the hide. 16 calling him who drew back and turned away, 17 And accumulated wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Indeed, mankind was created anxious: 19 When evil toucheth him, he is bewailing. 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 except those that pray, 22 who are constant in prayer; 23 And those in whose wealth there is a fixed portion. 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 Recompense, 26 and go in fear of the chastisement of their Lord 27 Verily! The torment of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure, 28 those who preserve their chastity 29 Are free of blame, 30 whereas such as seek to go beyond that [limit] are truly transgressors; 31 And those who fulfil their trusts and covenants, 32 And those who are firm upon their testimonies. 33 and who take due care of their Prayer: 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35