The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Someone has (needlessly) demanded to experience the torment (of God), 1 the unbelievers which none can prevent. 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 3 The angels and Jibreel, ascend towards Him – the punishment will befall on a day which spans fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore be patient, with a beautiful patience; 5 They see it [the Day of Judgement] to be far off, 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 Upon the day when heaven shall be as molten copper 8 The mountains like the tufts of (carded) wool, 9 And no friend will ask [anything of] a friend, 10 though they shall be within sight of each other. The guilty one will gladly ransom himself from the torment of that Day by sacrificing his own children, 11 And his wife and his brother 12 and of all the kinsfolk who ever sheltered him, 13 and all persons of the earth, if only he could thus save himself. 14 No, in truth, it is a Furnace! 15 will strip-off the flesh 16 and drag into it anyone who has turned away (from obeying God), 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from spending it in the Cause of Allah). 18 ۞ Indeed, man is born impatient: 19 Very nervous when touched by misfortune. 20 If good comes to him he holds back his hand, 21 except those that pray 22 and are constant in their Prayer; 23 And those in whose riches is a known right. 24 For the beggar who asks, and for the unlucky who has lost his property and wealth, (and his means of living has been straitened); 25 who confirm the Day of Reckoning 26 And those who are fearful of the chastisement of their Lord-- 27 for none may ever feel secure from the punishment of their Lord; 28 who guard their carnal desires 29 save from their wives and what their right hands own, then not being blameworthy 30 And whosoever seeketh beyond that, then it is those who are the trespassers 31 And those who are to their trusts and promises attentive 32 And those who are in their testimonies upright 33 and who guard their prayers [from all worldly intent]. 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35