The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
A caller supplicated about a punishment to fall on 1 the unbelievers which none can prevent. 2 From Allah, the 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 Therefore be patient, with a beautiful patience; 5 behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away 6 But We see it very near. 7 On the Day the sky will be like murky oil, 8 and the mountains become like wool, 9 and [when] no friend will ask about his friend, 10 Though within sight of one another. The sinner would like to ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his sons, 11 and of his spouse, and of his brother, 12 His kindred who sheltered him, 13 And whoever is on earth entirely [so] then it could save him. 14 Nay, verily it is a furnace 15 snatching away the scalp, 16 It shall insistently summon him who turned his back and retreated, 17 And accumulated wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Surely man was created fretful, 19 Fretful when evil touches him; 20 If good comes to him he holds back his hand, 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 Those who remain constant in their Salat (prayers); 23 and those in whose wealth there is a known right 24 for such as ask [for help] and such as are deprived [of what is good in life]; 25 and who accept as true the [coming of the] Day of Judgment; 26 And those who are fearful of the punishment of their Lord - 27 the punishment of their Lord is not something for them to feel secure of, 28 those who preserve their chastity 29 Except with their wives and the (women slaves and captives) whom their right hands possess, for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 But those who seek more than this will be transgressors; 31 and those who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges; 32 And those who are firm upon their testimonies. 33 and are steadfast in their prayers. 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35