The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 The unbelievers-- there is none to avert it-- 2 From Allah, the 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 So, (O Prophet), persevere with gracious perseverance. 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 The day the sky becomes like molten brass, 8 And then the mountains shall become like unto wool dyed. 9 And not a friend shall ask a friend, 10 though they are in sight of each other. To ransom himself from the punishment of that Day, the sinner will wish that he might even ransom himself by his sons, 11 his companion (wife), his brother, 12 his kinsmen who gave him refuge (from hardship) 13 and whosoever is in the earth, altogether, so that it might save him. 14 By no means! Verily, it will be the Fire of Hell! 15 A fire that melts the hide. 16 It will summon whoever turns his back and flees, 17 And masseth and then hoardeth. 18 ۞ Surely man is created of a hasty temperament 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he grows niggardly. 21 except those that pray 22 who are constant in prayer; 23 And those in whose wealth exists a recognised right, 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 punishment of their Lord, 27 For their Lord's displeasure is the opposite of Peace and Tranquillity;- 28 And those who guard their private parts 29 save from their wives and what their right hands own, then not being blameworthy 30 whereas such as seek to go beyond that [limit] are truly transgressors; 31 And those who keep their trusts and covenants; 32 and perform their witnessings, 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 They will be honoured in the Gardens of Bliss. 35