The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
There hath asked an asker for the torment about to befall. 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 From Allah, Owner of the ascending steps. 3 To whom the angels and the soul take a day to ascend, whose length is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore endure with a goodly patience. 5 Verily they behold it afar off. 6 but We see it near. 7 The day when the sky will be like molten silver. 8 And the mountains will be like flakes of wool, 9 And no friend will ask [anything of] a friend, 10 Though they shall be made to see one another. Fain would the guilty ransom himself from the torment of that Day by his children. 11 And his wife and his brother 12 And the nearest of his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all those who are in the earth – then only if the redemption saves him! 14 By no means! For the raging flames of the fire 15 that will strip off the scalp. 16 and it shall call him who withdrew and turned his back 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from use)! 18 ۞ Indeed, the human was created grudging and impatient. 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 when good visits him, grudging, 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 Those who are regular in their prayers. 23 and those in whose wealth there is a known right 24 to those who ask [for help] and to the destitute; 25 And those who testify to the Day of Requital. 26 And those who fear the torment of their Lord, 27 surely the chastisement of their Lord is a thing none can feel secure from – 28 And those who guard their chastity, 29 except from their wives and slave girls, in which case they are not to be blamed, 30 But those who seek more than this will be transgressors; 31 who honor their trust and promises, 32 and those who stand by their testimony 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 They will be honoured in the Gardens of Bliss. 35