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 Upon the disbelievers – the punishment that none can avert. 2 [It is] from Allah, owner of the ways of ascent. 3 The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: 4 So be patient with gracious patience. 5 They surely take it to be far away, 6 but We see it to be very near. 7 The day when the sky will be like molten silver. 8 and the mountains will become like dyed tufts of wool, 9 and [when] no friend will ask about his friend, 10 Though they will be given sight of them. The guilty man will long to be able to ransom himself from the punishment of that day at the price of his children 11 his wife, his brother, 12 And his kin that harboured him 13 and whosoever is in the earth, altogether, so that it might save him. 14 By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell!- 15 Flaying off the scalp-skin. 16 It calls out to him who reverted and turned away. 17 and amass [wealth] and thereupon withhold [it from their fellow-men]. 18 ۞ Indeed, the human was created grudging and impatient. 19 When evil comes upon him he is impatient; 20 If good comes to him he holds back his hand, 21 Except those who establish prayer. 22 and constant in their prayers. 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 For the petitioner and the deprived - 25 who confirm the Day of Doom 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord. 27 Indeed the punishment of their Lord is not a thing to be unafraid of! 28 and guard their private parts 29 except from their spouses and those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock], for which they incur no blame -- 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 firm upon their testimonies. 33 And those who guard their Salat (prayers) well. 34 Such will be the honoured ones in the Gardens (of Bliss). 35