The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
One demanding, demanded the chastisement which must befall 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 3 To Him ascend the angels and the Spirit in a day the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 They surely take it to be far away, 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 And then the mountains shall become like unto wool dyed. 9 And no friend inquires after friend 10 Though within sight of one another. The sinner would like to ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his sons, 11 his companion wife, his brother, 12 And the nearest of his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And whoever is on earth entirely [so] then it could save him. 14 But never. It is pure white flame 15 Taking away (burning completely) the head skin! 16 It calleth him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 and amass [wealth] and thereupon withhold [it from their fellow-men]. 18 ۞ Verily man is formed impatient. 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 but when good comes upon him, he is grudging 21 except those that pray, 22 Those who are constant in their prayer 23 And those in whose wealth exists a recognised right, 24 For the petitioner and the deprived - 25 who confirm the Day of Doom 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord, -- 27 for none may ever feel secure from the punishment of their Lord; 28 And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts from illegal sexual acts). 29 Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, then it is those who are trespassers. 31 And those who keep their pledges and their covenant, 32 and who stand firm whenever they bear witness; 33 And those who guard their Salat (prayers) well. 34 These will dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35