The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 The infidels, of which there is no averter. 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 The angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years, 4 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 They see it [the Day of Judgement] to be far off, 6 but We see it to be very near. 7 The day when the sky will be like molten silver. 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 even intimate friends will not inquire about their friends, 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 His wife and his brother, 12 And his kindred who sheltered him, 13 and all those on earth. 14 But nay! Verily, all [that awaits him] is a raging flame, 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 It shall call him who turneth back and backslideth. 17 And accumulated wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Surely man is created of a hasty temperament 19 bewailing when evil befalls him, 20 And niggardly when good befalls him 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 Who persevere in devotion, 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 And those who believe in the Day of Judgment, 26 and who stand in dread of their Sustainer's chastisement 27 surely the chastisement of their Lord is a thing none can feel secure from – 28 And those who guard their sex except from their wives and women slaves of old 29 Except in the case of their wives or those whom their right hands possess-- for these surely are not to be blamed, 30 So those who desire more than this – it is they who are the transgressors. 31 and who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges: 32 and perform their witnessings, 33 And those who are attentive at their worship. 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35