The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 the unbelievers which none can prevent. 2 From Allah, the Lord of the ways of Ascent. 3 The angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him during a Day the extent of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore be patient, with a beautiful patience; 5 Lo! they behold it afar off 6 but We see it near. 7 The Day that the sky will be like the boiling filth of oil, (or molten copper or silver or lead, etc.). 8 And then the mountains shall become like unto wool dyed. 9 And not a friend shall ask a friend, 10 though they may be in one another's sight: [for,] everyone who was lost in sin will on that Day but desire to ransom himself from suffering at the price of his own children, 11 And his wife and his brother. 12 And his kindred who sheltered him, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, all together, so that then it might deliver him. 14 No, in truth, it is a Furnace! 15 That would skin the scalp. 16 It invites he who turned his back [on truth] and went away [from obedience] 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from use)! 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 when misfortune touches him he starts lamenting, 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he selfishly withholds it [from others]. 21 Not so, however, those who consciously turn towards God in prayer. 22 and are constant in their Prayer; 23 And those within whose wealth is a known right 24 For the petitioner and the deprived - 25 and who accept as true the [coming of the] Day of Judgment; 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord. 27 for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure; 28 And those who guard their private parts, 29 Except with their wives and the (women slaves and captives) whom their right hands possess, for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 But those who seek more than this will be transgressors; 31 and who preserve their trusts and their covenant, 32 and perform their witnessings, 33 And those who are mindful of their moral obligations. 34 They will be honoured in the Gardens of Bliss. 35