The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, 3 all the angels and all the inspiration [ever granted to man] ascend unto Him [daily,] in a day the length whereof is [like] fifty thousand years… 4 (Muhammad), exercise patience with no complaints. 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 but, We see it as near! 7 The Day that the sky will be like molten brass, 8 And the mountains will be like flakes of wool, 9 No loyal friend will ask another loyal friend 10 (Though) they shall be made to see each other. The guilty one would fain redeem himself from the chastisement of that day by (sacrificing) his children, 11 His wife and his brother, 12 And the nearest of his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 and all those on earth. 14 By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell!- 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 and it will claim all those who turned their backs [on the true faith] and turned away [from the truth], 17 and amass [wealth] and thereupon withhold [it from their fellow-men]. 18 ۞ Verily man is impatient by nature: 19 When evil comes upon him he is impatient; 20 And when good touches him, withholding [of it], 21 except those who are steadfast 22 [and] who incessantly persevere in their prayer 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 for the needy and the deprived, 25 those who firmly believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 27 for none may ever feel secure from the punishment of their Lord; 28 and who are mindful of their chastity, 29 Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 So those who desire more than this – it is they who are the transgressors. 31 (Those) who keep their trusts and their covenant, 32 who testify to what they have witnessed, 33 and who observe their prayers. 34 Those shall dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35