The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
A beseecher besought the visitation of chastisement, 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 (A punishment) from Allah, the Owner of the Elevated Passages. 3 by which the angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in one Day the duration of which is fifty thousand years. 4 (Muhammad), exercise patience with no complaints. 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 Whereas We see it impending. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the sky will become like molten brass, 8 and the mountains will be like tufts of wool, 9 and no friend will ask about his friend, 10 Though within sight of one another. The sinner would like to ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his sons, 11 And his wife and his brother, 12 His kindred who sheltered him, 13 And whoever is on earth entirely [so] then it could save him. 14 Nay, verily it is a furnace 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 It calleth him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 And amasses (wealth) then shuts it up. 18 ۞ Indeed, the human was created grudging and impatient. 19 Fretful when evil befalleth him 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he selfishly withholds it [from others]. 21 save those that pray 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 And those in whose riches is a known right. 24 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); 25 And those who hold to the truth of the Day of Judgment; 26 And those who fear the torment of their Lord, 27 the punishment of their Lord is not something for them to feel secure of, 28 And those who of their private parts are guards. 29 Are free of blame, 30 But whoso seeketh more than that, those are they who are transgressors; 31 And those who are to their trusts and promises attentive 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who protect their prayers. 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35