The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 for the unbelievers, which none may avert, 2 From Allah, Owner of the ascending steps. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit mount up, in a day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore be patient, with a beautiful patience; 5 Indeed, they see it [as] distant, 6 But We see it [as] near. 7 On that Day the heaven shall become like molten copper, 8 and the mountains will become like dyed tufts of wool, 9 and [when] no friend will ask about his friend, 10 Though they will be given sight of them. The guilty man will long to be able to ransom himself from the punishment of that day at the price of his children 11 and his spouse and his brother, 12 His kindred who sheltered him, 13 and all those on earth. 14 By no means! Verily it is a Flame. 15 Taking away (burning completely) the head skin! 16 It will summon whoever turns his back and flees, 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from spending it in the Cause of Allah). 18 ۞ Indeed, man is born impatient: 19 Fretful when evil befalleth him 20 And niggardly when good reaches him;- 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 who are constant in prayer; 23 In whose wealth a due share is included 24 For the beggar and the destitute. 25 And those who hold to the truth of the Day of Judgment; 26 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 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 those who respect their trusts and covenants; 32 who testify to what they have witnessed, 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 Those shall be in Gardens, high-honoured. 35