The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 To the disbelievers; of it there is no preventer. 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 The angels and Jibreel, ascend towards Him – the punishment will befall on a day which spans fifty thousand years. 4 So be thou patient with a sweet patience; 5 Lo! they behold it afar off 6 But We see it very near. 7 The Day that the sky will be like molten brass, 8 and the mountains become like wool, 9 even intimate friends will not inquire about their friends, 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 And his wife and his brother 12 His kindred who sheltered him, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, altogether, so that it might save him. 14 But no! There is a raging blaze 15 Eager to roast; 16 and it shall call him who withdrew and turned his back 17 and amassed (riches) and hoarded. 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 when misfortune touches him he starts lamenting, 20 And, when good befalleth him, grudging; 21 save those that pray 22 and constant in their prayers. 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 For him who begs and for him who is denied (good) 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgement, 26 and go in fear of the punishment of their Lord, 27 Surely no one can be secure from the punishment of his Lord, -- 28 And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts from illegal sexual acts). 29 Are free of blame, 30 but those who go beyond that limit are transgressors; 31 and who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges: 32 And those who are firm upon their testimonies. 33 And those who keep a guard on their prayer, 34 They will be honoured in the Gardens of Bliss. 35