The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
A beseecher besought the visitation of chastisement, 1 Upon the disbelievers – the punishment that none can avert. 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 Therefore endure with a goodly patience. 5 Indeed, they see it [as] distant, 6 But We see it [as] near. 7 The Day that the sky will be like molten brass, 8 The mountains like the tufts of (carded) wool, 9 No loyal friend will ask another loyal friend 10 Though within sight of one another. The sinner would like to ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his sons, 11 His wife and his brother, 12 And his kindred who sheltered him, 13 And all that are in the earth, so that it might save him. 14 By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell!- 15 Eager to roast; 16 and it will claim all those who turned their backs [on the true faith] and turned away [from the truth], 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 If evil befalls him he is perturbed; 20 And niggardly when good touches him; 21 Except the observers of prayer - 22 and constant in their prayers. 23 And those in whose wealth there is a known right, 24 For those who beg, and for the needy who cannot even ask. 25 who acknowledge the Day of Judgment, 26 And those who fear the torment 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 bondwomen in their possession, for there is no reproach on them. 30 But whoever seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors - 31 And those who protect the property entrusted to them, and their agreements. 32 And those who are in their testimonies upright 33 And those who keep a guard on their prayer, 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35