The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
A supplicant asked for a punishment bound to happen 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 To Him ascend the angels and the Spirit in a day the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 So be patient with gracious patience. 5 behold, they see it as if far off; 6 but We see it near. 7 On that Day the heavens shall become like molten brass, 8 And the hills will be light as wool. 9 And not a friend shall ask a friend, 10 Though within sight of one another. The sinner would like to ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his sons, 11 his companion (wife), his brother, 12 his kinsmen who gave him refuge (from hardship) 13 And all that are in the earth, so that it might save him. 14 Never! That is indeed a blazing fire. 15 stripping away his skin, 16 It calleth him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Surely man was created fretful, 19 when evil visits him, impatient, 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he selfishly withholds it [from others]. 21 except those that pray, 22 who are constant in prayer; 23 And those in whose riches is a known right. 24 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); 25 those who firmly believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 and are fearful of the punishment of their Lord; 27 For their Lord's displeasure is the opposite of Peace and Tranquillity;- 28 And those who guard their chastity, 29 except from their wives and slave girls, in which case they are not to be blamed, 30 And whosoever seeketh beyond that, then it is those who are the trespassers 31 And those who protect the property entrusted to them, and their agreements. 32 Who uphold their testimonies, 33 And those who guard (the sacredness) of their worship;- 34 They will be honoured in the Gardens of Bliss. 35