The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A questioner questioned concerning the doom about to fall 1 Upon the disbelievers – the punishment that none can avert. 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 3 by which the angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in one Day the duration of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore patiently endure, in the best manner (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him). 5 behold, they see it as if far off; 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 The Day that the sky will be like molten brass, 8 and the mountains will become like dyed tufts of wool, 9 And no friend will ask [anything of] a 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 his spouse and his brother. 12 his kinsmen who gave him refuge (from hardship) 13 and of whoever [else] lives on earth, all of them - so that he could but save himself. 14 But nay! Verily, all [that awaits him] is a raging flame, 15 Eager to roast; 16 and it shall call him who withdrew and turned his back 17 And accumulated wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 Irritable (discontented) when evil touches him; 20 but when good comes upon him, he is grudging 21 save those that pray 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 They are those who assign a certain share of their property 24 For him who begs and for him who is denied (good) 25 And those who believe the Day of Judgement to be true. 26 who are afraid of the torment of their Lord, 27 for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure; 28 and those who guard their private parts, 29 except from their wives and slave girls, in which case they are not to be blamed, 30 But those who seek more than this will be transgressors; 31 And those who are to their trusts and promises attentive 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35