The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Someone has (needlessly) demanded to experience the torment (of God), 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 From Allah, the Lord of the ways of ascent. 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 Therefore patiently endure, in the best manner (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him). 5 They deem it to be remote. 6 While we behold it nigh: 7 The Day that the sky will be like molten brass, 8 and the mountains will be like tufts of wool, 9 No loyal friend will ask another loyal friend 10 though they shall be within sight of each other. The guilty one will gladly ransom himself from the torment of that Day by sacrificing his own children, 11 his companion wife, his brother, 12 and of all the kinsfolk who ever sheltered him, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, all together, so that then it might deliver him. 14 No, in truth, it is a Furnace! 15 tearing away his skin! 16 It shall insistently summon him who turned his back and retreated, 17 and who accumulated wealth without spending it for a good purpose. 18 ۞ Lo! man was created anxious, 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he grows niggardly. 21 Except those who pray, 22 Who persevere in devotion, 23 And those in whose wealth there is a fixed portion. 24 for the impoverished nonrequester and the requester, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord, -- 27 surely the chastisement of their Lord is a thing none can feel secure from – 28 those who preserve their chastity 29 Except with their wives and the (women slaves and captives) whom their right hands possess, for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 (but whoso seeks after more than that, they are the transgressors), 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 And those who stand by their testimony 33 and who observe their prayers. 34 Those shall dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35