The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 From Allah, the Lord of all pinnacles. 3 To whom the angels and the soul take a day to ascend, whose length is fifty thousand years. 4 So be thou patient with a sweet patience; 5 behold, they see it as if far off; 6 And We see it nigh. 7 On the day when the heavens become like molten metal. 8 The mountains like the tufts of (carded) wool, 9 And friend shall not ask of friend 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 companion (wife), his brother, 12 And his family who had stood by him, 13 And all that are in the earth, so that it might save him. 14 But never. It is pure white flame 15 tearing away his skin! 16 and it shall call him who withdrew and turned his back 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from use)! 18 ۞ Indeed, mankind was created anxious: 19 Fretful when evil touches him; 20 And niggardly when good befalls him 21 Except those who pray, 22 [and] who incessantly persevere in their prayer 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 For the needy and those dispossessed, 25 those who firmly believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 and are fearful of the punishment of their Lord; 27 for none may ever feel secure from the punishment of their Lord; 28 And those who preserve their chastity 29 Except with their wives and the bondwomen in their possession, for there is no reproach on them. 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, then it is those who are trespassers. 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who are attentive at their worship. 34 It is these who will be honoured in Gardens. 35