The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 Upon the infidels -- which none would be able to repel -- 2 from God, the Lord of the Stairways. 3 (Whereby) the angels and the Spirit ascend unto Him in a Day whereof the span is fifty thousand years. 4 So be thou patient with a sweet patience; 5 Indeed, they see it [as] distant, 6 And We see it nigh. 7 The day when the sky will be like molten silver. 8 and the mountains become like wool, 9 and [when] no friend will ask about his friend, 10 though they shall be within sight of each other. The guilty one will gladly ransom himself from the torment of that Day by sacrificing his own children, 11 his companion wife, his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 and all those on earth. 14 No! Indeed, it is the Flame [of Hell], 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 and drag into it anyone who has turned away (from obeying God), 17 and who accumulated wealth without spending it for a good purpose. 18 ۞ Indeed, man is born impatient: 19 when misfortune touches him he starts lamenting, 20 And niggardly when good touches him; 21 Except those devoted to Salat (prayers) 22 and are constant in their Prayer; 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 24 For the beggar and the destitute. 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who are fearful of the chastisement of their Lord-- 27 Indeed, the punishment of their Lord is not that from which one is safe - 28 and guard their private parts 29 Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 So those who desire more than this – it is they who are the transgressors. 31 And those who fulfil their trusts and covenants, 32 and who stand firm whenever they bear witness; 33 And those who guard their Salat (prayers) well. 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35