The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
A questioner questioned concerning the doom about to fall 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 No one can defend him against God, the Lord of the exalted positions. 3 The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: 4 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 Verily! They see it (the torment) afar off, 6 but We see it to be very near. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the heaven shall become like unto dregs of oil. 8 and the mountains will be like tufts of wool, 9 And friend shall not ask of friend 10 though they shall be within sight of each other. The guilty one will gladly ransom himself from the torment of that Day by sacrificing his own children, 11 And his wife and his brother, 12 And his nearest kindred who shelter him 13 And all those who are on the earth, to save himself. 14 Never! That is indeed a blazing fire. 15 Taking away (burning completely) the head skin! 16 and it shall call him who withdrew and turned his back 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from spending it in the Cause of Allah). 18 ۞ Verily man is impatient by nature: 19 Fretful when evil befalleth him 20 And niggardly when good befalls him 21 Except those devoted to Salat (prayers) 22 Who persevere in devotion, 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 24 For those who beg, and for the needy who cannot even ask. 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense 26 and are fearful of the punishment of their Lord; 27 (from their Lord's chastisement none feels secure) 28 who guard their privates 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 of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who keep a guard on their prayer, 34 Such shall dwell in the Gardens (i.e. Paradise) honoured. 35