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 Upon the disbelievers, which none can avert, 2 From Allah, Owner of the ascending steps. 3 by which the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him in one Day which will last for fifty thousand years. 4 So be patient with gracious patience. 5 They surely take it to be far away, 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 And the mountains will be like flakes of wool, 9 And no familiar friend will ask a question of his friend 10 Though they will be put in sight of each other,- the sinner's desire will be: Would that he could redeem himself from the Penalty of that Day by (sacrificing) his children, 11 his companion (wife), his brother, 12 And the family in which he was. 13 and all persons of the earth, if only he could thus save himself. 14 No! Indeed, it is the Flame [of Hell], 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 It calleth him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 And masseth and then hoardeth. 18 ۞ Verily man is impatient by nature: 19 when evil visits him, impatient, 20 And, when good befalleth him, grudging; 21 Not so, however, those who consciously turn towards God in prayer. 22 and continue at their prayers, 23 those who give a due share of their wealth 24 For the beggar who asks, and for the unlucky who has lost his property and wealth, (and his means of living has been straitened); 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgment, 26 And those who fear the torment of their Lord, 27 (from their Lord's chastisement none feels secure) 28 And those who guard their private parts 29 Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 (but whoso seeks after more than that, they are the transgressors), 31 And those who fulfil their trusts and covenants, 32 And those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who are mindful of their moral obligations. 34 Those are highly honored in the Gardens. 35