The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 those who deny the truth. [Know, then, that] nothing can ward it off, 2 From Allah, 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 do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). 5 They see the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event): 6 but, We see it as near! 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 And the hills will be light as wool. 9 And no friend will ask concerning his 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 And his wife and his brother 12 and his kinsfolk 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 That would skin the scalp. 16 and it will claim all those who turned their backs [on the true faith] and turned away [from the truth], 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Verily, man (disbeliever) was created very impatient; 19 when evil visits him, impatient, 20 And niggardly when good reaches him;- 21 except those who are steadfast 22 and are constant in their Prayer; 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 For the petitioner and the deprived - 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 and are fearful of the punishment of their Lord; 27 Lo! the doom of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure - 28 And those who guard their private parts 29 Save in regard to their spouses or those whom their right hands own; so verily they are not blameworthy 30 And whosoever seeketh beyond that, then it is those who are the trespassers 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 and perform their witnessings, 33 and who take due care of their Prayer: 34 Those are highly honored in the Gardens. 35