The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 by which the angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in one Day the duration of which is fifty thousand years. 4 So be patient with gracious patience. 5 behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away 6 And We see it nigh. 7 On the day when the heavens become like molten metal. 8 and the mountains shall be as plucked wool-tufts, 9 And friend shall not ask of friend 10 They will be shown each other. The criminal will wish that he could be ransomed from the punishment of that Day by his children 11 his companion (wife), 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 By no means! Surely it is a flaming fire 15 Plucking out (his being) right to the skull!- 16 and drag into it anyone who has turned away (from obeying God), 17 And amasses (wealth) then shuts it up. 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 Being greatly grieved when evil afflicts him 20 but when good comes upon him, he is grudging 21 except those who are steadfast 22 and constant in their prayers. 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 24 For the beggar who asks, and for the unlucky who has lost his property and wealth, (and his means of living has been straitened); 25 who confirm the Day of Doom 26 and fear the chastisement of their Lord – 27 Lo! the doom of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure - 28 and those who guard their private parts, 29 Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they are not to be blamed - 30 But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors;- 31 And those who respect their trusts and covenants; 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies. 33 and are steadfast in their prayers. 34 all these shall live honourably in the Gardens. 35