The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
A beseecher besought the visitation of chastisement, 1 the unbelievers which none can prevent. 2 (A punishment) from Allah, the Owner of the Elevated Passages. 3 (Whereby) the angels and the Spirit ascend unto Him in a Day whereof the span is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore, [O believers] behave with seemly patience. 5 behold, they see it as if far off; 6 but, We see it as near! 7 The Day that the sky will be like molten brass, 8 and the mountains shall be like puffs of wool. 9 And no familiar friend will ask a question of his friend 10 although they shall be within sight of one another. The guilty one would fain ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his children, 11 And his spouse and his brother 12 And his nearest kindred who shelter him 13 And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: 14 By no means! Surely it is a flaming fire 15 That would skin the scalp. 16 Inviting (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from the Right). 17 and amassed wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 When evil comes upon him he is impatient; 20 And when good toucheth him he is begrudging. 21 except those that pray, 22 Who are constant at their worship 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 for those that ask and those that are dispossessed, 25 who acknowledge the Day of Judgment, 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's doom - 27 for none may ever feel secure from the punishment of their Lord; 28 And those who guard their sex except from their wives and women slaves of old 29 Save with their wives and those whom their right hands possess, for thus they are not blameworthy; 30 but whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 And those who are upright in their testimonies, 33 And those who are mindful of their moral obligations. 34 They will be in gardens, honored. 35