The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
A questioner questioned concerning the doom about to fall 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 3 all the angels and all the inspiration [ever granted to man] ascend unto Him [daily,] in a day the length whereof is [like] fifty thousand years… 4 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 behold, they see it as if far off; 6 but We see it 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 shall be as plucked wool-tufts, 9 no loyal friend shall question loyal friend, 10 though they are in sight of each other. To ransom himself from the punishment of that Day, the sinner will wish that he might even ransom himself by his sons, 11 and of his spouse, and of his brother, 12 And his kin that sheltered him. 13 and whosoever is in the earth, all together, so that then it might deliver him. 14 No, in truth, it is a Furnace! 15 stripping away his skin, 16 and it will claim all those who turned their backs [on the true faith] and turned away [from the truth], 17 and amassed wealth and covetously hoarded it. 18 ۞ Indeed man is created very impatient, greedy. 19 When they are afflicted, they complain, 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 Except those who establish prayer. 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 In whose wealth a due share is included 24 to those who ask [for help] and to the destitute; 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's doom - 27 surely the chastisement of their Lord is a thing none can feel secure from – 28 And those who guard their private parts 29 Except with their wives and the bondwomen in their possession, for there is no reproach on them. 30 But he who seeks to go beyond this, these it is that go beyond the limits-- 31 (Those) who keep their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who guard their Salat (prayers) well. 34 Those shall be in Gardens, high-honoured. 35