The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, 3 The angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years, 4 So, (O Prophet), persevere with gracious perseverance. 5 Verily! They see it (the torment) afar off, 6 but We see it is nigh. 7 On the day when the heaven shall be as molten copper 8 and the mountains will become like tufts of wool, 9 even intimate friends will not inquire about their friends, 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 His wife and his brother, 12 And his family who had stood by him, 13 And all that are in the earth, if then it might deliver him. 14 By no means! Verily it is a Flame. 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 It calleth him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 who amassed and hoarded. 18 ۞ Indeed man is created very impatient, greedy. 19 When evil comes upon him he is impatient; 20 And niggardly when good befalls him 21 Except those who pray, 22 Who are constant at their worship 23 And those in whose wealth exists a recognised right, 24 For the needy and those dispossessed, 25 and those who believe in the Day of Judgement 26 and go in fear of the chastisement of their Lord 27 for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure; 28 who guard their carnal desires 29 except from their wives and slave girls, in which case they are not to be blamed, 30 but those who go beyond that limit are transgressors; 31 and who preserve their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who guard (the sacredness) of their worship;- 34 Those shall be in Gardens, high-honoured. 35