The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 Upon the disbelievers – the punishment that none can avert. 2 (A Penalty) from Allah, Lord of the Ways of Ascent. 3 The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: 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 The Day that the sky will be like molten brass, 8 and the mountains will become like dyed tufts of wool, 9 And friend shall not ask of friend 10 Though they shall be made to see one another [(i.e. on the Day of Resurrection), there will be none but see his father, children and relatives, but he will neither speak to them nor will ask them for any help)], - the Mujrim, (criminal, sinner, disbeliever, etc.) would desire to ransom himself from the punishment of that Day by his children. 11 And his spouse and his brother 12 and of all the kinsfolk who ever sheltered him, 13 And all that are in the earth, if then it might deliver him. 14 By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell!- 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 Calling: "[O Kafir (O disbeliever in Allah, His angels, His Book, His Messengers, Day of Resurrection and in Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments), O Mushrik (O polytheist, disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah)] (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from Faith) [picking and swallowing them up from that great gathering of mankind (on the Day of Resurrection) just as a bird picks up a food-grain from the earth with its beak and swallows it up] [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, Vol. 18, Page 289] 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from spending it in the Cause of Allah). 18 ۞ Truly man was created very impatient;- 19 When evil comes upon him he is impatient; 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 But not so the worshippers 22 Who persevere in devotion, 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 24 for the beggar and the outcast, 25 who confirm the Day of Reckoning 26 and go in fear of the punishment of their Lord, 27 for none may ever feel secure from the punishment of their Lord; 28 And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts from illegal sexual acts). 29 Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors;- 31 And those who respect their trusts and covenants; 32 and perform their witnessings, 33 And those who guard their Salat (prayers) well. 34 Those shall be in gardens, honored. 35