The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
There hath asked an asker for the torment about to befall. 1 for the unbelievers, which none may avert, 2 From Allah, Owner 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 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 But We see it [as] near. 7 On the day when the heaven shall be as molten copper 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 and [when] no friend will ask about his friend, 10 although they shall be within sight of one another. The guilty one would fain ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his children, 11 His wife and his brother, 12 the kinsmen who gave him shelter, 13 And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: 14 By no means! Verily it is a Flame. 15 tearing away his skin! 16 Calling: "[O Kafir (O disbeliever in Allah, His angels, His Book, His Messengers, Day of Resurrection and in Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments), O Mushrik (O polytheist, disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah)] (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from Faith) [picking and swallowing them up from that great gathering of mankind (on the Day of Resurrection) just as a bird picks up a food-grain from the earth with its beak and swallows it up] [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, Vol. 18, Page 289] 17 and amassed wealth and covetously hoarded it. 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 If good comes to him he holds back his hand, 21 Except those who establish prayer. 22 and constant in their prayers. 23 And in whose wealth there is a right acknowledged 24 for such as ask [for help] and such as are deprived [of what is good in life]; 25 who confirm the Day of Doom 26 And those who are fearful of the chastisement of their Lord-- 27 for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure; 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 are faithful to their trusts and their covenant 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 and who observe their prayers. 34 These will dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35