The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, 3 The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) 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 (quite) near. 7 On the Day the sky will be like murky oil, 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 No loyal friend will ask another loyal friend 10 though they may see each other. A sinner will wish that he could save himself from the torment of that day by sacrificing his children, 11 his companion wife, his brother, 12 And the family in which he was. 13 and all persons of the earth, if only he could thus save himself. 14 By no means! Verily, it will be the Fire of Hell! 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 It calls out to him who reverted and turned away. 17 and amass [wealth] and thereupon withhold [it from their fellow-men]. 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 Very nervous when touched by misfortune. 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 who are steadfast in prayer; 23 and those in whose wealth there is a known right 24 for the needy and the deprived, 25 who acknowledge the Day of Judgment, 26 who are afraid of the torment of their Lord, 27 Indeed, the punishment of their Lord is not that from which one is safe - 28 And those who protect their private organs (from adultery). 29 Are free of blame, 30 But he who seeks to go beyond this, these it is that go beyond the limits-- 31 And those who fulfil their trusts and covenants, 32 and perform their witnessings, 33 And those who keep a guard on their prayer, 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35