The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 The infidels, of which there is no averter. 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 3 On that Day (of Judgment), long as fifty thousand years, the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him. 4 So be thou patient with a sweet patience; 5 They see the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event): 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 Upon the day when heaven shall be as molten copper 8 and the mountains will be like tufts of wool, 9 And friend shall not ask of friend 10 Though they shall be made to see one another. Fain would the guilty ransom himself from the torment of that Day by his children. 11 and his spouse and his brother, 12 And his kindred who sheltered him, 13 And all those who are in the earth – then only if the redemption saves him! 14 By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell!- 15 that will strip off the scalp. 16 and it shall call him who withdrew and turned his back 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Indeed, mankind was created anxious: 19 Being greatly grieved when evil afflicts him 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he grows niggardly. 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 who are steadfast in prayer; 23 And those in whose wealth there is a fixed portion. 24 for those that ask and those that are dispossessed, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgment, 26 who are afraid of the torment of their Lord, 27 Surely no one can be secure from the punishment of his Lord, -- 28 And those who guard their chastity, 29 except in regard to their spouses and those whom their right hands possess, for in regard to them they are not reproachable, 30 So those who desire more than this – it is they who are the transgressors. 31 And those who protect the property entrusted to them, and their agreements. 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 and who take due care of their Prayer: 34 These will dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35