The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 The infidels, of which there is no averter. 2 [since it will come] from God, unto whom there are many ways of ascent: 3 by which the angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in one Day the duration of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore endure with a goodly patience. 5 Lo! they behold it afar off 6 But We see it very near. 7 Upon the day when heaven shall be as molten copper 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 no loyal friend shall question loyal friend, 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 his companion (wife), his brother, 12 the kinsmen who gave him shelter, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, altogether, so that it might save him. 14 By no means! Verily, it will be the Fire of Hell! 15 Taking away (burning completely) the head skin! 16 It calleth him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 and amass [wealth] and thereupon withhold [it from their fellow-men]. 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 When they are afflicted, they complain, 20 And when good touches him, withholding [of it], 21 Except the observers of prayer - 22 Who persevere in devotion, 23 And those in whose wealth there is a fixed portion. 24 For the beggar and the destitute; 25 And those who testify to the Day of Requital. 26 and go in fear of the chastisement of their Lord 27 Surely no one can be secure from the punishment of his Lord, -- 28 who guard their privates 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 those who go beyond that limit are transgressors; 31 And those who protect the property entrusted to them, and their agreements. 32 who testify to what they have witnessed, 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35