The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 The unbelievers-- there is none to avert it-- 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, 3 The angels and Jibreel, ascend towards Him – the punishment will befall on a day which spans fifty thousand years. 4 So persevere with becoming patience. 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 But We see it [as] near. 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 and no bosom friend will enquire about any of his bosom friends 10 though they may be in one another's sight: [for,] everyone who was lost in sin will on that Day but desire to ransom himself from suffering at the price of his own children, 11 and his spouse and his brother, 12 And his kin that harboured him 13 And all those that are in the earth, (wishing) then (that) this might deliver him. 14 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 Plucking out (his being) right to the skull!- 16 It invites he who turned his back [on truth] and went away [from obedience] 17 And masseth and then hoardeth. 18 ۞ VERILY, man is born with a restless disposition. 19 Being greatly grieved when evil afflicts him 20 And niggardly when good reaches him;- 21 Except those who establish prayer. 22 and are constant in their Prayer; 23 And those in whose riches is a known right. 24 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); 25 And those who hold to the truth of the Day of Judgment; 26 and fear the chastisement of their Lord – 27 Indeed, the punishment of their Lord is not that from which one is safe - 28 And those who preserve their chastity 29 Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 But whoever seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors - 31 (Those) who keep their trusts and their covenant, 32 and perform their witnessings, 33 and who are constant in their prayers. 34 They will be honoured in the Gardens of Bliss. 35