The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
A questioner asked about a Penalty to befall- 1 those who deny the truth. [Know, then, that] nothing can ward it off, 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 Whereby the angels ascend unto Him and also the spirit, On a Day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). 5 They see the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event): 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 The day the sky becomes like molten brass, 8 and the mountains become like wool, 9 and no friend will ask about his friend, 10 (Though) they shall be made to see each other. The guilty one would fain redeem himself from the chastisement of that day by (sacrificing) his children, 11 His wife and his brother, 12 the kinsmen who gave him shelter, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, all together, so that then it might deliver him. 14 Nay, verily it is a furnace 15 stripping away his skin, 16 and it shall call him who withdrew and turned his back 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from use)! 18 ۞ Verily man is impatient by nature: 19 Very nervous when touched by misfortune. 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 except those that pray 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 And those within whose wealth is a known right 24 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); 25 And those who hold to the truth of the Day of Judgment; 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 those who guard their sex except from their wives and women slaves of old 29 Are free of blame, 30 (but whoso seeks after more than that, they are the transgressors), 31 And those who keep their pledges and their covenant, 32 And those who are in their testimonies upright 33 and who observe their prayers. 34 It is these who will be honoured in Gardens. 35