The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
A beseecher besought the visitation of chastisement, 1 the unbelievers which none can prevent. 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 On that Day (of Judgment), long as fifty thousand years, the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him. 4 Therefore, [O believers] behave with seemly patience. 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 but We see it near. 7 On the Day the sky will be like murky oil, 8 and the mountains become like wool, 9 No loyal friend will ask another loyal friend 10 (Though) they shall be made to see each other. The guilty one would fain redeem himself from the chastisement of that day by (sacrificing) his children, 11 his wife, his brother, 12 his kinsmen who gave him refuge (from hardship) 13 and all the people of the earth, if that could deliver him. 14 No! Indeed, it is the Flame [of Hell], 15 Flaying off the scalp-skin. 16 It calls out to him who reverted and turned away. 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 When evil comes upon him he is impatient; 20 And refraining, when good reaches him. 21 except those that pray, 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 And in whose wealth there is a right acknowledged 24 For those who beg, and for the needy who cannot even ask. 25 And those who accept the truth of the judgment day 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 guard their private parts 29 except from their spouses and those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock], for which they incur no blame -- 30 So those who desire more than this – it is they who are the transgressors. 31 And those who respect their trusts and covenants; 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who protect their prayers. 34 Such shall dwell in the Gardens (i.e. Paradise) honoured. 35