The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
A supplicant asked for a punishment bound to happen 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 Indeed, they see it [as] distant, 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 Upon the day when heaven shall be as molten copper 8 And the mountains shall be as tufts of 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 kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 And all who are on the earth; so that this might deliver him. 14 Nay, verily it is a furnace 15 stripping away his skin, 16 It calls out to him who reverted and turned away. 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Indeed, man is born impatient: 19 When evil comes upon him he is impatient; 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 Those who are constant at their prayer 23 and those in whose wealth there is a known right 24 For the beggar and the destitute; 25 who acknowledge the Day of Judgment, 26 and who stand in dread of their Sustainer's chastisement 27 for none may ever feel secure from the punishment of their Lord; 28 And those who guard their sex except from their wives and women slaves of old 29 [not giving way to their desires] with any but their spouses - that is, those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock]: for then, behold, they are free of all blame, 30 but those who go beyond that limit are transgressors; 31 And those who keep their trusts and covenants; 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies. 33 And those who are attentive at their worship. 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35