The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 3 The angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him during a Day the extent of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 they see it as being far off; 6 but We see it to be very near. 7 On the day when the heavens become like molten metal. 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 And no friend will ask after a friend, 10 Though they will be put in sight of each other,- the sinner's desire will be: Would that he could redeem himself from the Penalty of that Day by (sacrificing) his children, 11 his companion wife, his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, all together, so that then it might deliver him. 14 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 Eager to roast; 16 It shall call him who turneth back and backslideth. 17 and amassed (riches) and hoarded. 18 ۞ Surely man is created of a hasty temperament 19 If evil befalls him he is perturbed; 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 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 the beggar and the destitute. 25 And those who believe the Day of Judgement to be true. 26 and who stand in dread of their Sustainer's chastisement 27 For their Lord's displeasure is the opposite of Peace and Tranquillity;- 28 and those who guard their private parts, 29 Save in regard to their spouses or those whom their right hands own; so verily they are not blameworthy 30 but any who seeks to go beyond that, it is indeed they who are the transgressors, 31 And those who fulfil their trusts and covenants, 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 and are steadfast in their prayers. 34 Those shall be in Gardens, high-honoured. 35