The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
A supplicant asked for a punishment bound to happen 1 The infidels, of which there is no averter. 2 (A Penalty) from Allah, 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 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 They see it [the Day of Judgement] to be far off, 6 while We think that it is near at hand. 7 On the day when the heaven shall be as molten copper 8 And the mountains will be like flakes of wool, 9 And no friend will ask [anything of] a 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 his companion wife, his brother, 12 his kinsmen who gave him refuge (from hardship) 13 and all those on earth. 14 By no means! Verily it is a Flame. 15 That would skin the scalp. 16 It will summon whoever turns his back and flees, 17 and amassed wealth and covetously hoarded it. 18 ۞ VERILY, man is born with a restless disposition. 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 And refraining, when good reaches him. 21 Except the observers of prayer - 22 Who persevere in devotion, 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 for the impoverished nonrequester and the requester, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense 26 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 27 Lo! the doom of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure - 28 and guard their private parts 29 except from their spouses and those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock], for which they incur no blame -- 30 But those who seek more than this will be transgressors; 31 and those who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges; 32 and standby their witnessing, 33 and who observe their prayers. 34 They will live in gardens with honour. 35