The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- 2 [since it will come] from God, unto whom there are many ways of ascent: 3 The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: 4 (Muhammad), exercise patience with no complaints. 5 They deem it to be remote. 6 But We see it [as] near. 7 The day when the sky will be like molten silver. 8 And then the mountains shall become like unto wool dyed. 9 And no friend inquires after friend 10 as they are given sight of them. The sinner will wish that he might ransom himself from the chastisement of that day even by his sons, 11 And his spouse and his brother 12 And the family in which he was. 13 And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: 14 But never. It is pure white flame 15 That would skin the scalp. 16 It shall call him who turneth back and backslideth. 17 and amass [wealth] and thereupon withhold [it from their fellow-men]. 18 ۞ Lo! man was created anxious, 19 Fretful when evil befalleth him 20 when good visits him, grudging, 21 Except the observers of prayer - 22 and continue at their prayers, 23 who, from their wealth is a known right 24 For the beggar and the destitute; 25 And those who believe the Day of Judgement to be true. 26 and go in fear of the chastisement of their Lord 27 Surely the chastisement of their Lord is (a thing) not to be felt secure of-- 28 And those who guard their sex except from their wives and women slaves of old 29 Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 But whoever seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors - 31 And those who respect their trusts and covenants; 32 And those who are firm upon their testimonies. 33 And those who keep a guard on their prayer, 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35