The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 The unbelievers-- there is none to avert it-- 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 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, (O Prophet), persevere with gracious perseverance. 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 but, We see it as near! 7 On that Day the heaven shall become like molten copper, 8 And the hills will be light as wool. 9 And friend shall not ask of friend 10 They will be seeing them; the guilty will wish if only he could redeem himself from the punishment of that day, by offering his sons. 11 his companion wife, his brother, 12 And his family who had stood by him, 13 And all those that are in the earth, (wishing) then (that) this might deliver him. 14 No, in truth, it is a Furnace! 15 Plucking out (his being) right to the skull!- 16 Calling: "[O Kafir (O disbeliever in Allah, His angels, His Book, His Messengers, Day of Resurrection and in Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments), O Mushrik (O polytheist, disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah)] (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from Faith) [picking and swallowing them up from that great gathering of mankind (on the Day of Resurrection) just as a bird picks up a food-grain from the earth with its beak and swallows it up] [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, Vol. 18, Page 289] 17 and amassed (riches) and hoarded. 18 ۞ VERILY, man is born with a restless disposition. 19 Irritable (discontented) when evil touches him; 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he grows niggardly. 21 Except those devoted to Salat (prayers) 22 Those who remain constant in their Salat (prayers); 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 24 For him who begs and for him who is denied (good) 25 who acknowledge the Day of Judgment, 26 And those who are fearful of the chastisement of their Lord-- 27 Lo! the doom of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure - 28 And those who protect their private organs (from adultery). 29 Except with their wives and the (women slaves and captives) whom their right hands possess, for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 (but whoso seeks after more than that, they are the transgressors), 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 and those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who guard (the sacredness) of their worship;- 34 Those shall be in gardens, honored. 35