The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 for the unbelievers, which none may avert, 2 [since it will come] from God, unto whom there are many ways of ascent: 3 all the angels and all the inspiration [ever granted to man] ascend unto Him [daily,] in a day the length whereof is [like] fifty thousand years… 4 So be patient with gracious patience. 5 behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away 6 while We think that it is near at hand. 7 Upon the day when heaven shall be as molten copper 8 And the mountains will be like flakes of wool, 9 And no friend will ask of a friend, 10 Though they shall be made to see one another [(i.e. on the Day of Resurrection), there will be none but see his father, children and relatives, but he will neither speak to them nor will ask them for any help)], - the Mujrim, (criminal, sinner, disbeliever, etc.) would desire to ransom himself from the punishment of that Day by his children. 11 And his spouse and his brother. 12 And his nearest kindred who shelter him 13 And all those who are on the earth, to save himself. 14 But nay! Verily, all [that awaits him] is a raging flame, 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 It invites he who turned his back [on truth] and went away [from obedience] 17 and amassed (riches) and hoarded. 18 ۞ Verily man is impatient by nature: 19 When evil toucheth him, he is bewailing. 20 And niggardly when good befalls him 21 Except the observers of prayer - 22 [and] who incessantly persevere in their prayer 23 who, from their wealth is a known right 24 to those who ask [for help] and to the destitute; 25 who confirm the Day of Reckoning 26 And those who fear the torment of their Lord, 27 for none may ever feel secure from the punishment of their Lord; 28 and those who guard their private parts, 29 except in regard to their spouses and those whom their right hands possess, for in regard to them they are not reproachable, 30 (but whoso seeks after more than that, they are the transgressors), 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 And those who are upright in their testimonies, 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 They will be honoured in the Gardens of Bliss. 35