The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can repel, 2 From Allah, 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 Therefore endure with a goodly patience. 5 Verily they behold it afar off. 6 While we behold it nigh: 7 On the day when the heavens become like molten metal. 8 and the mountains will become like dyed tufts of wool, 9 And no friend will ask after a 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 His wife and his brother, 12 And his kin that harboured him 13 and of whoever [else] lives on earth, all of them - so that he could but save himself. 14 But no! There is a raging blaze 15 Dragging by the head, 16 It calls out to him who reverted and turned away. 17 and amassed wealth and covetously hoarded it. 18 ۞ Indeed, the human was created grudging and impatient. 19 when misfortune touches him he starts lamenting, 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 and constant in their prayers. 23 And those in whose wealth there is a known right, 24 For those who beg, and for the needy who cannot even ask. 25 who confirm the Day of Reckoning 26 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 27 Indeed, the punishment of their Lord is not that from which one is safe - 28 And those who of their private parts are guards. 29 save from their wives and what their right hands own, then not being blameworthy 30 but whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 who testify to what they have witnessed, 33 and who observe their prayers. 34 all these shall live honourably in the Gardens. 35