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 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 from God, the Lord of the Stairways. 3 To whom the angels and the soul take a day to ascend, whose length is fifty thousand years. 4 (Muhammad), exercise patience with no complaints. 5 Verily! They see it (the torment) afar off, 6 And We see it nigh. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the heaven shall become like unto dregs of oil. 8 And the mountains will be like flakes of wool, 9 And no friend inquires after 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 kin who sheltered 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 A remover of exteriors. 16 It will summon whoever turns his back and flees, 17 and amass [wealth] and thereupon withhold [it from their fellow-men]. 18 ۞ Indeed, the human was created grudging and impatient. 19 Fretful when evil touches him; 20 And when good touches him, withholding [of it], 21 except those who are steadfast 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 And those in whose wealth exists a recognised right, 24 For those who beg, and for the needy who cannot even ask. 25 And those who accept the truth of the judgment day 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 privates 29 save from their wives and what their right hands own, then not being blameworthy 30 but those who go beyond that limit are transgressors; 31 and who preserve their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies. 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 all these shall live honourably in the Gardens. 35