The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
Someone has (needlessly) demanded to experience the torment (of God), 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 all the angels and all the inspiration [ever granted to man] ascend unto Him [daily,] in a day the length whereof is [like] fifty thousand years… 4 So persevere with becoming patience. 5 they see it as being far off; 6 but, We see it as near! 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the heaven shall become like unto dregs of oil. 8 and the mountains shall be like puffs of wool. 9 And no friend will ask after a friend, 10 though they may be in one another's sight: [for,] everyone who was lost in sin will on that Day but desire to ransom himself from suffering at the price of his own children, 11 And his wife and his brother, 12 His kindred who sheltered him, 13 And whoever is on earth entirely [so] then it could save him. 14 By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell!- 15 Taking away (burning completely) the head skin! 16 It shall insistently summon him who turned his back and retreated, 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he grows niggardly. 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 and continue at their prayers, 23 those who give a due share of their wealth 24 to those who ask [for help] and to the destitute; 25 who acknowledge the Day of Judgment, 26 and go in fear of the punishment of their Lord, 27 Indeed, the punishment of their Lord is not that from which one is safe - 28 And those who guard their sex except from their wives and women slaves of old 29 except in regard to their spouses and those whom their right hands possess, for in regard to them they are not reproachable, 30 But those who seek more than this will be transgressors; 31 who honor their trust and promises, 32 And those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who are mindful of their moral obligations. 34 Those shall be in Gardens, high-honoured. 35