The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
One demanding, demanded the chastisement which must befall 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can repel, 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: 4 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 behold, they see it as if far off; 6 but We see it near. 7 The Day that the sky will be like the boiling filth of oil, (or molten copper or silver or lead, etc.). 8 and the mountains shall be as plucked wool-tufts, 9 and [when] no friend will ask about his friend, 10 though they may see each other. A sinner will wish that he could save himself from the torment of that day by sacrificing his children, 11 And his wife and his brother. 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 And all those who are in the earth – then only if the redemption saves him! 14 Nay, verily it is a furnace 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 It calleth him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 Fretful when evil befalleth him 20 And, when good befalleth him, grudging; 21 Except the observers of prayer - 22 and constant in their prayers. 23 those who give a due share of their wealth 24 for those that ask and those that are dispossessed, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense 26 And those who are fearful of the chastisement of their Lord-- 27 for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure; 28 and those who guard their private parts, 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 trusts and covenants; 32 And those who are in their testimonies upright 33 And those who protect their prayers. 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35