The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 To the disbelievers; of it there is no preventer. 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Wherefore be thou patient with a becoming patience. 5 They see it [the Day of Judgement] to be far off, 6 but We see it to be very near. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the heaven shall become like unto dregs of oil. 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 And no friend inquires after friend 10 They will be shown each other. The criminal will wish that he could be ransomed from the punishment of that Day by his children 11 His wife and his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 and all those on earth. 14 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 That would skin the scalp. 16 It shall call him who turneth back and backslideth. 17 and amassed wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Surely man is created of a hasty temperament 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 And niggardly when good touches him; 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 Who persevere in devotion, 23 And those in whose wealth there is a fixed portion. 24 For the beggar and the destitute; 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense 26 And those who are fearful of the punishment of their Lord - 27 the punishment of their Lord is not something for them to feel secure of, 28 who guard their privates 29 except from their spouses and those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock], for which they incur no blame -- 30 But those who seek more than this will be transgressors; 31 who honor their trust and promises, 32 Who uphold their testimonies, 33 and who take due care of their Prayer: 34 Those shall be in Gardens, high-honoured. 35