The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
A caller supplicated about a punishment to fall on 1 which will inevitably seize the disbelievers. 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit mount up, in a day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 But We see it very near. 7 The day when the sky will become as molten copper, 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 And no friend will ask of a friend, 10 They will be seeing them; the guilty will wish if only he could redeem himself from the punishment of that day, by offering his sons. 11 And his wife and his brother 12 And the nearest of his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 and all persons of the earth, if only he could thus save himself. 14 Nay, verily it is a furnace 15 tearing away his skin! 16 It calls out to him who reverted and turned away. 17 Who amasses and then hoards. 18 ۞ Truly man was created very impatient;- 19 when misfortune touches him he starts lamenting, 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he grows niggardly. 21 Except the observers of prayer - 22 Who are constant at their worship 23 And those in whose wealth is a recognised right. 24 For the petitioner and the deprived - 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 27 for none is secure from the punishment of their Lord, 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 whosoever seeks beyond that, then it is those who are trespassers. 31 And those who respect their trusts and covenants; 32 and standby their witnessing, 33 and who guard their prayers [from all worldly intent]. 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35