The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 The infidels, of which there is no averter. 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 So be patient with gracious patience. 5 behold, they see it as if far off; 6 But We see it [as] near. 7 The day when the sky will be like molten silver. 8 and the mountains will become like tufts of wool, 9 and no friend will ask about his 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 wife and his brother, 12 His kindred who sheltered him, 13 And all those that are in the earth, (wishing) then (that) this might deliver him. 14 But never. It is pure white flame 15 that will strip off the scalp. 16 calling him who drew back and turned away, 17 Who amasses and then hoards. 18 ۞ Truly man was created very impatient;- 19 Very nervous when touched by misfortune. 20 but when good comes upon him, he is grudging 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 and continue at their prayers, 23 And those in whose wealth exists a recognised right, 24 For the beggar who asks, and for the unlucky who has lost his property and wealth, (and his means of living has been straitened); 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgement, 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's torment 27 Verily! The torment of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure, 28 And those who guard their private parts, 29 except from their wives and slave girls, in which case they are not to be blamed, 30 But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors;- 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies. 33 and who take due care of their Prayer: 34 all these shall live honourably in the Gardens. 35