The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 Upon the infidels -- which none would be able to repel -- 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 by which the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him in one Day which will last for fifty thousand years. 4 Wherefore be thou patient with a becoming patience. 5 behold, they see it as if far off; 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the heaven shall become like unto dregs of oil. 8 And the mountains will be like flakes of wool, 9 And no friend will ask concerning his friend. 10 Though they shall be made to see one another. Fain would the guilty ransom himself from the torment of that Day by his children. 11 And his wife and his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, altogether, so that it might save him. 14 By no means! Surely it is a flaming fire 15 will strip-off the flesh 16 Calling: "[O Kafir (O disbeliever in Allah, His angels, His Book, His Messengers, Day of Resurrection and in Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments), O Mushrik (O polytheist, disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah)] (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from Faith) [picking and swallowing them up from that great gathering of mankind (on the Day of Resurrection) just as a bird picks up a food-grain from the earth with its beak and swallows it up] [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, Vol. 18, Page 289] 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Indeed, the human was created grudging and impatient. 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he grows niggardly. 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 Those who are regular in their prayers. 23 In whose wealth a due share is included 24 for the impoverished nonrequester and the requester, 25 And those who testify to the Day of Requital. 26 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 27 Verily! The torment of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure, 28 And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts from illegal sexual acts). 29 Save in regard to their spouses or those whom their right hands own; so verily they are not blameworthy 30 whereas such as seek to go beyond that [limit] are truly transgressors; 31 and those who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges; 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who guard their Salat (prayers) well. 34 They will be honoured in the Gardens of Bliss. 35