The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
A beseecher besought the visitation of chastisement, 1 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- 2 From Allah, the Lord of the ways of ascent. 3 (Whereby) the angels and the Spirit ascend unto Him in a Day whereof the span is fifty thousand years. 4 (Muhammad), exercise patience with no complaints. 5 They think that it (the Day of Judgment) is far away. 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 On the Day the sky will be like murky oil, 8 The mountains like the tufts of (carded) wool, 9 No loyal friend will ask another loyal friend 10 though they may see each other. A sinner will wish that he could save himself from the torment of that day by sacrificing his children, 11 his companion (wife), his brother, 12 His kindred who sheltered him, 13 and all the people of the earth, if that could deliver him. 14 By no means! Verily it is a Flame. 15 Eager to roast; 16 Inviting (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from the Right). 17 And hoarded (wealth) and withheld it. 18 ۞ Indeed, man is born impatient: 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 except those that pray, 22 Those who are constant in their prayer 23 And those in whose riches is a known right. 24 for the needy and the deprived, 25 who confirm the Day of Reckoning 26 and fear the chastisement of their Lord – 27 for none is secure from the punishment of their Lord, 28 And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts from illegal sexual acts). 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 But whosoever seeks beyond that, they are the transgressors. 31 and who preserve their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 Such will be the honoured ones in the Gardens (of Bliss). 35