The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
A supplicant asked for a punishment bound to happen 1 for the unbelievers, which none may avert, 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 all the angels and all the inspiration [ever granted to man] ascend unto Him [daily,] in a day the length whereof is [like] fifty thousand years… 4 So be thou patient with a sweet patience; 5 They deem it to be remote. 6 But We see it [as] near. 7 The day when the sky will be like molten silver. 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 And no familiar friend will ask a question of his friend 10 They will be seeing them; the guilty will wish if only he could redeem himself from the punishment of that day, by offering his sons. 11 his companion wife, his brother, 12 the kinsmen who gave him shelter, 13 And all that are in the earth, if then it might deliver him. 14 By no means! Verily it is a Flame. 15 Taking away (burning completely) the head skin! 16 It invites he who turned his back [on truth] and went away [from obedience] 17 Who amasses and then hoards. 18 ۞ Truly man was created very impatient;- 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 save those that pray 22 [and] who incessantly persevere in their prayer 23 They are those who assign a certain share of their property 24 For him who begs and for him who is denied (good) 25 and who accept as true the [coming of the] Day of Judgment; 26 and fear the chastisement of their Lord – 27 Verily! The torment of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure, 28 and guard their private parts 29 Save with their wives and those whom their right hands possess, for thus they are not blameworthy; 30 but whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 and who preserve their trusts and their covenant, 32 Who uphold their testimonies, 33 and are steadfast in their prayers. 34 Such will be the honoured ones in the Gardens (of Bliss). 35