The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 those who deny the truth. [Know, then, that] nothing can ward it off, 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 3 The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: 4 So be patient with gracious patience. 5 Lo! they behold it afar off 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 The Day that the sky will be like the boiling filth of oil, (or molten copper or silver or lead, etc.). 8 and the mountains will be like tufts of wool, 9 and no friend will ask about his friend, 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, his brother, 12 And his kindred who sheltered him, 13 And all who are on the earth; so that this might deliver him. 14 But no! There is a raging blaze 15 That would skin the scalp. 16 Calling: "[O Kafir (O disbeliever in Allah, His angels, His Book, His Messengers, Day of Resurrection and in Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments), O Mushrik (O polytheist, disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah)] (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from Faith) [picking and swallowing them up from that great gathering of mankind (on the Day of Resurrection) just as a bird picks up a food-grain from the earth with its beak and swallows it up] [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, Vol. 18, Page 289] 17 And amasses (wealth) then shuts it up. 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 Very nervous when touched by misfortune. 20 when good visits him, grudging, 21 except those who are steadfast 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 And those within whose wealth is a known right 24 to those who ask [for help] and to the destitute; 25 and those who believe in the Day of Judgement 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's doom - 27 the punishment of their Lord is not something for them to feel secure of, 28 and guard their private parts 29 Save with their wives and those whom their right hands possess, for thus they are not blameworthy; 30 But he who seeks to go beyond this, these it is that go beyond the limits-- 31 And those who keep their trusts and covenants; 32 and who stand firm whenever they bear witness; 33 And those who are attentive at their worship. 34 Such shall dwell in the Gardens (i.e. Paradise) honoured. 35