The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 the unbelievers which none can prevent. 2 From Allah, Owner of the ascending steps. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 They deem it to be remote. 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 On that Day the heaven shall become like molten copper, 8 And the mountains will be like flakes of wool, 9 And no friend will ask [anything of] a friend, 10 though they may see each other. A sinner will wish that he could save himself from the torment of that day by sacrificing his children, 11 And his wife and his brother 12 And his family who had stood by him, 13 And all who are on the earth; so that this might deliver him. 14 But no! There is a raging blaze 15 snatching away the scalp, 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 ۞ Indeed, mankind was created anxious: 19 When evil comes upon him he is impatient; 20 And refraining, when good reaches him. 21 except those that pray, 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 who, from their wealth is a known right 24 For him who begs and for him who is denied (good) 25 And those who testify to the Day of Requital. 26 and who stand in dread of their Sustainer's chastisement 27 for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure; 28 and who are mindful of their chastity, 29 except from their spouses and those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock], for which they incur no blame -- 30 But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors;- 31 (Those) who keep their trusts and their covenant, 32 and standby their witnessing, 33 And those who guard (the sacredness) of their worship;- 34 These will dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35