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 infidels, of which there is no averter. 2 No one can defend him against God, the Lord of the exalted positions. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore patiently endure, in the best manner (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him). 5 they see it as being far off; 6 but We see it near at hand. 7 On the day when the heaven shall be as molten copper 8 and the mountains will become like dyed tufts of wool, 9 And friend shall not ask of friend 10 Though they shall be made to see one another. Fain would the guilty ransom himself from the torment of that Day by his children. 11 And his spouse and his brother 12 and of all the kinsfolk who ever sheltered him, 13 and of whoever [else] lives on earth, all of them - so that he could but save himself. 14 By no means! For the raging flames of the fire 15 will strip-off the flesh 16 It shall claim him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Indeed, man is born impatient: 19 bewailing when evil befalls him, 20 And when good toucheth him he is begrudging. 21 except those that pray 22 who are steadfast in prayer; 23 And those in whose wealth is a recognised right. 24 for those that ask and those that are dispossessed, 25 and those who believe in the Day of Judgement 26 And those who are fearful of the punishment of their Lord - 27 for none is secure from the punishment of their Lord, 28 And those who guard their chastity, 29 except from their spouses and those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock], for which they incur no blame -- 30 So those who desire more than this – it is they who are the transgressors. 31 (Those) who keep their trusts and their covenant, 32 and perform their witnessings, 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 Such will be the honoured ones in the Gardens (of Bliss). 35