The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, 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 (A punishment) from Allah, the Owner of the Elevated Passages. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore patiently endure, in the best manner (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him). 5 They think that it (the Day of Judgment) is far away. 6 And We see it nigh. 7 The day the sky becomes like molten brass, 8 and the mountains shall be like puffs of wool. 9 And not a friend shall ask a friend, 10 They will be seeing them; the guilty will wish if only he could redeem himself from the punishment of that day, by offering his sons. 11 his wife, his brother, 12 And his family who had stood by him, 13 And all who are on the earth; so that this might deliver him. 14 By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell!- 15 that will strip off the scalp. 16 and it will claim all those who turned their backs [on the true faith] and turned away [from the truth], 17 And amasses (wealth) then shuts it up. 18 ۞ Lo! man was created anxious, 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 And niggardly when good befalls him 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 [and] who incessantly persevere in their prayer 23 And those in whose wealth is a recognised right. 24 for the needy and the deprived, 25 and who accept as true the [coming of the] Day of Judgment; 26 and who stand in dread of their Sustainer's chastisement 27 for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure; 28 And those who guard their sex except from their wives and women slaves of old 29 Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they are not to be blamed - 30 But whoso seeketh more than that, those are they who are transgressors; 31 And those who are faithful to their trusts and their covenant 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 Such shall dwell in the Gardens (i.e. Paradise) honoured. 35