The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 which will inevitably seize the disbelievers. 2 [since it will come] from God, unto whom there are many ways of ascent: 3 To Him ascend the angels and the Spirit in a day the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). 5 They deem it to be remote. 6 But We see it [as] near. 7 The day when the sky will be like molten silver. 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 and no bosom friend will enquire about any of his bosom friends 10 though they are in sight of each other. To ransom himself from the punishment of that Day, the sinner will wish that he might even ransom himself by his sons, 11 his wife, his brother, 12 And his family who had stood by him, 13 And all those who are in the earth – then only if the redemption saves him! 14 But never. It is pure white flame 15 stripping away his skin, 16 It shall claim him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 and amassed wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Surely man was created fretful, 19 bewailing when evil befalls him, 20 And niggardly when good befalls him 21 except those that pray, 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 24 to those who ask [for help] and to the destitute; 25 who confirm the Day of Doom 26 who are afraid of the torment of their Lord, 27 for none may ever feel secure from the punishment of their Lord; 28 who guard their privates 29 save from their wives and what their right hands own, then not being blameworthy 30 But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors;- 31 who honor their trust and promises, 32 and those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who keep a guard on their prayer, 34 Those are highly honored in the Gardens. 35