The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
A supplicant asked for a punishment bound to happen 1 The infidels, of which there is no averter. 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, 3 On that Day (of Judgment), long as fifty thousand years, the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him. 4 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 Indeed, they see it [as] distant, 6 but We see it is nigh. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the heaven shall become like unto dregs of oil. 8 The mountains like the tufts of (carded) wool, 9 even intimate friends will not inquire about their friends, 10 although they shall be within sight of one another. The guilty one would fain ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his children, 11 and of his spouse, and of his brother, 12 And his nearest kindred who shelter him 13 And all that are in the earth, if then it might deliver him. 14 But nay! Verily, all [that awaits him] is a raging flame, 15 Eager to roast; 16 It invites he who turned his back [on truth] and went away [from obedience] 17 And accumulated wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 when evil visits him, impatient, 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he grows niggardly. 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 Those who are constant in their prayer 23 And those in whose wealth exists a recognised right, 24 for the impoverished nonrequester and the requester, 25 who confirm the Day of Reckoning 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord. 27 Lo! the doom of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure - 28 and who are mindful of their chastity, 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 whoso seeks after more than that, they are the transgressors), 31 And those who protect the property entrusted to them, and their agreements. 32 And those who are firm upon their testimonies. 33 And those who guard their Salat (prayers) well. 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35