The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
A supplicant asked for a punishment bound to happen 1 Upon the infidels -- which none would be able to repel -- 2 No one can defend him against God, the Lord of the exalted positions. 3 by which the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him in one Day which will last for fifty thousand years. 4 So be thou patient with a sweet patience; 5 Verily they behold it afar off. 6 but We see it is nigh. 7 The day the sky becomes like molten brass, 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 even intimate friends will not inquire about their friends, 10 though they may see each other. A sinner will wish that he could save himself from the torment of that day by sacrificing his children, 11 His wife and his brother, 12 And his nearest kindred who shelter him 13 And whoever is on earth entirely [so] then it could save him. 14 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 snatching away the scalp, 16 It will summon whoever turns his back and flees, 17 And hoarded (wealth) and withheld it. 18 ۞ Indeed man is created very impatient, greedy. 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 And, when good befalleth him, grudging; 21 save those that pray 22 Those who are constant in their prayer 23 They are those who assign a certain share of their property 24 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); 25 And those who accept the truth of the judgment day 26 and who stand in dread of their Sustainer's chastisement 27 for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure; 28 and guard their private parts 29 Except with their wives and the bondwomen in their possession, for there is no reproach on them. 30 But whoso seeketh more than that, those are they who are transgressors; 31 and those who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges; 32 and perform their witnessings, 33 and who are constant in their prayers. 34 They will live in gardens with honour. 35