The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can repel, 2 from God, the Lord of the Stairways. 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 Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). 5 Verily! They see it (the torment) afar off, 6 And We see it nigh. 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 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 And his wife and his brother, 12 the kinsmen who gave him shelter, 13 and of whoever [else] lives on earth, all of them - so that he could but save himself. 14 Never! That is indeed a blazing fire. 15 Taking away (burning completely) the head skin! 16 It will claim all such as turn their backs [on what is right,] and turn away [from the truth,] 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from spending it in the Cause of Allah). 18 ۞ VERILY, man is born with a restless disposition. 19 bewailing when evil befalls him, 20 And niggardly when good reaches him;- 21 Except those who pray, 22 who are constant in prayer; 23 And those in whose riches is a known right. 24 For the beggar and the destitute. 25 And those who accept the truth of the judgment day 26 and go in fear of the chastisement of their Lord 27 For their Lord's displeasure is the opposite of Peace and Tranquillity;- 28 those who preserve their chastity 29 Are free of blame, 30 But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors;- 31 And those who protect the property entrusted to them, and their agreements. 32 and perform their witnessings, 33 And those who of their prayer are observant. 34 They will be honoured in the Gardens of Bliss. 35