The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 The infidels, of which there is no averter. 2 From Allah, the Lord of the 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, (O Prophet), persevere with gracious perseverance. 5 They deem it to be remote. 6 But We see it very near. 7 The Day that the sky will be like molten brass, 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 And friend shall not ask of friend 10 though they are in sight of each other. To ransom himself from the punishment of that Day, the sinner will wish that he might even ransom himself by his sons, 11 and his spouse and his brother, 12 And his nearest kindred who shelter him 13 and whosoever is in the earth, all together, so that then it might deliver him. 14 By no means! Verily it is a Flame. 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 and it shall call him who withdrew and turned his back 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from spending it in the Cause of Allah). 18 ۞ Surely man was created fretful, 19 When evil comes upon him he is impatient; 20 If good comes to him he holds back his hand, 21 Except those devoted to Salat (prayers) 22 [and] who incessantly persevere in their prayer 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 24 to those who ask [for help] and to the destitute; 25 And those who accept the truth of the judgment day 26 and go in fear of the punishment of their Lord, 27 the punishment of their Lord is not something for them to feel secure of, 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 but whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 (Those) who keep their trusts and their covenant, 32 and who stand firm whenever they bear witness; 33 And those who protect their prayers. 34 Those are highly honored in the Gardens. 35