The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
A caller supplicated about a punishment to fall on 1 those who deny the truth. [Know, then, that] nothing can ward it off, 2 from God, the Lord of the Stairways. 3 The angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him during a Day the extent of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). 5 They deem it to be remote. 6 And We see it nigh. 7 The day when the sky will become as molten copper, 8 And the hills will be light as wool. 9 And no friend will ask of a friend, 10 (Though) they shall be made to see each other. The guilty one would fain redeem himself from the chastisement of that day by (sacrificing) his children, 11 and his spouse and his brother, 12 And his nearest kindred who shelter him 13 And all who are on the earth; so that this might deliver him. 14 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 Taking away (burning completely) the head skin! 16 Inviting (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from the Right). 17 And amasses (wealth) then shuts it up. 18 ۞ Surely man is created of a hasty temperament 19 When they are afflicted, they complain, 20 And niggardly when good touches him; 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 who are steadfast in prayer; 23 who, from their wealth is a known right 24 For those who beg, and for the needy who cannot even ask. 25 who acknowledge the Day of Judgment, 26 and go in fear of the chastisement of their Lord 27 surely the chastisement of their Lord is a thing none can feel secure from – 28 And those who guard their private parts, 29 except in regard to their spouses and those whom their right hands possess, for in regard to them they are not reproachable, 30 but any who seeks to go beyond that, it is indeed they who are the transgressors, 31 and those who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges; 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 It is these who will be honoured in Gardens. 35