The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A supplicant asked for a punishment bound to happen 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 [since it will come] from God, unto whom there are many ways of ascent: 3 The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: 4 Therefore, [O believers] behave with seemly patience. 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 but We see it is nigh. 7 The Day that the sky will be like the boiling filth of oil, (or molten copper or silver or lead, etc.). 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 And no familiar friend will ask a question of his friend 10 Though they shall be made to see one another. Fain would the guilty ransom himself from the torment of that Day by his children. 11 His wife and his brother, 12 And his nearest kindred who shelter him 13 and whosoever is in the earth, all together, so that then it might deliver him. 14 Nay, verily it is a furnace 15 Plucking out (his being) right to the skull!- 16 Inviting (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from the Right). 17 And accumulated wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Truly man was created very impatient;- 19 When evil toucheth him, he is bewailing. 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he selfishly withholds it [from others]. 21 Not so, however, those who consciously turn towards God in prayer. 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 those who give a due share of their wealth 24 for such as ask [for help] and such as are deprived [of what is good in life]; 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgment, 26 and go in fear of the punishment of their Lord, 27 (from their Lord's chastisement none feels secure) 28 And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts from illegal sexual acts). 29 except from their wives and slave girls, in which case they are not to be blamed, 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, they are the transgressors. 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 and who stand firm whenever they bear witness; 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35