The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- 2 No one can defend him against God, the Lord of the exalted positions. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore, [O believers] behave with seemly patience. 5 Lo! they behold it afar off 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 The Day that the sky will be like molten brass, 8 and the mountains shall be as plucked wool-tufts, 9 No loyal friend will ask another loyal friend 10 as they are given sight of them. The sinner will wish that he might ransom himself from the chastisement of that day even by his sons, 11 and of his spouse, and of his brother, 12 his kinsmen who gave him refuge (from hardship) 13 And all those who are on the earth, to save himself. 14 But nay! Verily, all [that awaits him] is a raging flame, 15 Plucking out (his being) right to the skull!- 16 and it will claim all those who turned their backs [on the true faith] and turned away [from the truth], 17 And masseth and then hoardeth. 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 when misfortune touches him he starts lamenting, 20 when good visits him, grudging, 21 save those that pray 22 Those who remain constant in their Salat (prayers); 23 And those in whose riches is a known right. 24 For those who beg, and for the needy who cannot even ask. 25 those who firmly believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 27 Indeed the punishment of their Lord is not a thing to be unafraid of! 28 And those who guard their chastity, 29 Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they are not to be blamed - 30 But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors;- 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 who testify to what they have witnessed, 33 And those who keep a guard on their prayer, 34 Those are highly honored in the Gardens. 35