The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 (A punishment) from Allah, the Owner of the Elevated Passages. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit mount up, in a day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 They surely take it to be far away, 6 But We see it (quite) 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 are in sight of each other. To ransom himself from the punishment of that Day, the sinner will wish that he might even ransom himself by his sons, 11 And his spouse and his brother 12 And his kindred who sheltered him, 13 And all that are in the earth, so that it might save him. 14 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 stripping away his skin, 16 It will claim all such as turn their backs [on what is right,] and turn away [from the truth,] 17 And amasses (wealth) then shuts it up. 18 ۞ Indeed, the human was created grudging and impatient. 19 Fretful when evil befalleth him 20 but when good comes upon him, he is grudging 21 except those that pray, 22 and continue at their prayers, 23 And in whose wealth there is a right acknowledged 24 for such as ask [for help] and such as are deprived [of what is good in life]; 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's torment 27 for none is secure from the punishment of their Lord, 28 those who preserve their chastity 29 except in regard to their spouses and those whom their right hands possess, for in regard to them they are not reproachable, 30 whereas such as seek to go beyond that [limit] are truly transgressors; 31 And those who respect their trusts and covenants; 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 and who are constant in their prayers. 34 They will be honoured in the Gardens of Bliss. 35