The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
There hath asked an asker for the torment about to befall. 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can avert, 2 [since it will come] from God, unto whom there are many ways of ascent: 3 by which the angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in one Day the duration of which is fifty thousand years. 4 So, (O Prophet), persevere with gracious perseverance. 5 They see it [the Day of Judgement] to be far off, 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 The day when the sky will be like molten silver. 8 And then the mountains shall become like unto wool dyed. 9 and no friend will ask about his friend, 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 of his spouse, and of his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all that are in the earth, so that it might save him. 14 No, in truth, it is a Furnace! 15 Flaying off the scalp-skin. 16 It invites he who turned his back [on truth] and went away [from obedience] 17 And hoarded (wealth) and withheld it. 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 When evil toucheth him, he is bewailing. 20 And, when good befalleth him, grudging; 21 except those that pray, 22 and continue at their prayers, 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 24 for those that ask and those that are dispossessed, 25 those who firmly believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's doom - 27 for none is secure from the punishment of their Lord, 28 and who are mindful of their chastity, 29 except from their wives and what their right hands own, for these they are not blameworthy. 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, they are the transgressors. 31 And those who are faithful to their trusts and their covenant 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies. 33 and who observe their prayers. 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35