The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 To whom the angels and the soul take a day to ascend, whose length is fifty thousand years. 4 So be thou patient with a sweet patience; 5 They see it [the Day of Judgement] to be far off, 6 Whereas We see it impending. 7 Upon the day when heaven shall be as molten copper 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 And no friend will ask of a friend, 10 Though they shall be made to see one another [(i.e. on the Day of Resurrection), there will be none but see his father, children and relatives, but he will neither speak to them nor will ask them for any help)], - the Mujrim, (criminal, sinner, disbeliever, etc.) would desire to ransom himself from the punishment of that Day by his children. 11 and of his spouse, and of his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all that are in the earth, so that it might save him. 14 But never. It is pure white flame 15 that will strip off the scalp. 16 It shall insistently summon him who turned his back and retreated, 17 And amasses (wealth) then shuts it up. 18 ۞ Indeed, man is born impatient: 19 Very nervous when touched by misfortune. 20 And niggardly when good befalls him 21 Except those who pray, 22 [and] who incessantly persevere in their prayer 23 And those in whose wealth is a recognised right. 24 For the needy and those dispossessed, 25 who acknowledge the Day of Judgment, 26 and go in fear of the punishment of their Lord, 27 Verily the torment of their Lord is not a thing to feel secure from. 28 And those who of their private parts are guards. 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 whoever seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors - 31 And those who keep their pledges and their covenant, 32 And those who are in their testimonies upright 33 And those who guard (the sacredness) of their worship;- 34 Such will be the honoured ones in the Gardens (of Bliss). 35