The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
A beseecher besought the visitation of chastisement, 1 those who deny the truth. [Know, then, that] nothing can ward it off, 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 (Whereby) the angels and the Spirit ascend unto Him in a Day whereof the span is fifty thousand years. 4 So be patient with gracious patience. 5 They see the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event): 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the sky will become like molten brass, 8 The mountains like the tufts of (carded) wool, 9 And no friend inquires after friend 10 though they shall be within sight of each other. The guilty one will gladly ransom himself from the torment of that Day by sacrificing his own children, 11 his companion wife, his brother, 12 and of all the kinsfolk who ever sheltered him, 13 And whoever is on earth entirely [so] then it could save him. 14 By no means! Surely it is a flaming fire 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 It shall call him who turneth back and backslideth. 17 and amassed (riches) and hoarded. 18 ۞ Surely man was created fretful, 19 Fretful when evil touches him; 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he grows niggardly. 21 except those who are steadfast 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 And those within whose wealth is a known right 24 For the beggar and the destitute; 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 and go in fear of the chastisement of their Lord 27 Lo! the doom of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure - 28 who guard their carnal desires 29 Except in the case of their wives or those whom their right hands possess-- for these surely are not to be blamed, 30 but whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 And those who respect their trusts and covenants; 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 And those who keep a guard on their prayer, 34 They will be honoured in the Gardens of Bliss. 35