The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 The infidels, of which there is no averter. 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 The angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years, 4 But be patient (O Muhammad) with a patience fair to see. 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 but We see it near at hand. 7 The day when the sky will become as molten copper, 8 and the mountains will become like tufts of wool, 9 no loyal friend shall question loyal 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 And his wife and his brother. 12 And his nearest kindred who shelter him 13 and whosoever is in the earth, altogether, so that it might save him. 14 By no means! Verily it is a Flame. 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 Inviting (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from the Right). 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Indeed man is created very impatient, greedy. 19 Fretful when evil befalleth him 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 and those in whose wealth there is a known right 24 For the needy and those dispossessed, 25 who confirm the Day of Reckoning 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's doom - 27 Lo! the doom of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure - 28 who guard their carnal desires 29 except from their wives and what their right hands own, for these they are not blameworthy. 30 But those who seek more than this will be transgressors; 31 And those who respect their trusts and covenants; 32 and those who stand by their testimony 33 and who guard their prayers [from all worldly intent]. 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35