The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
A questioner asked about a Penalty to befall- 1 The infidels, of which there is no averter. 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit mount up, in a day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore patiently endure, in the best manner (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him). 5 Verily! They see it (the torment) afar off, 6 Whereas We see it impending. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the sky will become like molten brass, 8 and the mountains become like wool, 9 And no friend will ask after a friend, 10 although they shall be within sight of one another. The guilty one would fain ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his children, 11 his companion (wife), his brother, 12 And the nearest of his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all those who are in the earth – then only if the redemption saves him! 14 No, in truth, it is a Furnace! 15 Flaying off the scalp-skin. 16 Calling: "[O Kafir (O disbeliever in Allah, His angels, His Book, His Messengers, Day of Resurrection and in Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments), O Mushrik (O polytheist, disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah)] (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from Faith) [picking and swallowing them up from that great gathering of mankind (on the Day of Resurrection) just as a bird picks up a food-grain from the earth with its beak and swallows it up] [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, Vol. 18, Page 289] 17 And masseth and then hoardeth. 18 ۞ Lo! man was created anxious, 19 If evil befalls him he is perturbed; 20 And niggardly when good touches him; 21 Save worshippers. 22 and constant in their prayers. 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 For the beggar and the destitute. 25 who acknowledge the Day of Judgment, 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's doom - 27 Verily! The torment of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure, 28 And those who guard their chastity, 29 [not giving way to their desires] with any but their spouses - that is, those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock]: for then, behold, they are free of all blame, 30 So those who desire more than this – it is they who are the transgressors. 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 and perform their witnessings, 33 And those who guard (the sacredness) of their worship;- 34 Those shall be in Gardens, high-honoured. 35