The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 for the unbelievers, which none may 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 the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event): 6 But We see it [as] near. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the sky will become like molten brass, 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 And no friend will ask after a 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 family who had stood by him, 13 And all that are in the earth, if then it might deliver him. 14 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 It invites he who turned his back [on truth] and went away [from obedience] 17 and amassed (riches) and hoarded. 18 ۞ Indeed, man is born impatient: 19 when misfortune touches him he starts lamenting, 20 If good comes to him he holds back his hand, 21 Except those who establish prayer. 22 and constant in their prayers. 23 In whose wealth a due share is included 24 For him who begs and for him who is denied (good) 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 and go in fear of the chastisement of their Lord 27 for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure; 28 And those who guard their chastity, 29 Except with their wives and the bondwomen in their possession, for there is no reproach on them. 30 but those who go beyond that limit are transgressors; 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 and standby their witnessing, 33 And those who of their prayer are observant. 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35