The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 No one can defend him against God, the Lord of the exalted positions. 3 Whereby the angels ascend unto Him and also the spirit, On a Day whereof the measure is 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 (quite) near. 7 The day when the sky will become as molten copper, 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 no loyal friend shall question loyal friend, 10 They will be shown each other. The criminal will wish that he could be ransomed from the punishment of that Day by his children 11 His wife and his brother, 12 And the nearest of his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 and all persons of the earth, if only he could thus save himself. 14 No! Indeed, it is the Flame [of Hell], 15 that will strip off the scalp. 16 It shall insistently summon him who turned his back and retreated, 17 And hoarded (wealth) and withheld it. 18 ۞ Verily man is formed impatient. 19 Very nervous when touched by misfortune. 20 And niggardly when good touches him; 21 save those that pray 22 and are constant in their Prayer; 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); 25 who confirm the Day of Reckoning 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord, -- 27 (from their Lord's chastisement none feels secure) 28 And those who protect their private organs (from adultery). 29 Are free of blame, 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, they are the transgressors. 31 And those who are faithful to their trusts and their covenant 32 and those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 Such will be the honoured ones in the Gardens (of Bliss). 35