The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 3 To whom the angels and the soul take a day to ascend, whose length is fifty thousand years. 4 So be patient with gracious patience. 5 They see it [the Day of Judgement] to be far off, 6 but We see it is nigh. 7 On that Day the heaven shall become like molten copper, 8 and the mountains will become like dyed tufts of wool, 9 no loyal friend shall question loyal 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 And his wife and his brother. 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 and of whoever [else] lives on earth, all of them - so that he could but save himself. 14 But never. It is pure white flame 15 A fire that melts the hide. 16 It will summon whoever turns his back and flees, 17 And accumulated wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 Fretful when evil touches him; 20 And, when good befalleth him, grudging; 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 Those who are constant at their prayer 23 and those in whose wealth there is a known right 24 for such as ask [for help] and such as are deprived [of what is good in life]; 25 who acknowledge the Day of Judgment, 26 And those who fear the torment of their Lord, 27 Indeed, the punishment of their Lord is not that from which one is safe - 28 who guard their privates 29 Save with their wives and those whom their right hands possess, for thus they are not blameworthy; 30 but any who seeks to go beyond that, it is indeed they who are the transgressors, 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies. 33 and are steadfast in their prayers. 34 They will be in gardens, honored. 35