The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can repel, 2 from God, the Lord of the Stairways. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 So persevere with becoming patience. 5 behold, they see it as if far off; 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 And the mountains shall be as tufts of wool 9 even intimate friends will not inquire about their friends, 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 wife and his brother 12 And his nearest kindred who shelter him 13 And whoever is on earth entirely [so] then it could save him. 14 But nay! Verily, all [that awaits him] is a raging flame, 15 Taking away (burning completely) the head skin! 16 It will claim all such as turn their backs [on what is right,] and turn away [from the truth,] 17 And hoarded (wealth) and withheld it. 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 When evil toucheth him, he is bewailing. 20 And niggardly when good touches him; 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 Those who are constant in their prayer 23 In whose wealth a due share is included 24 For those who beg, and for the needy who cannot even ask. 25 And those who believe the Day of Judgement to be true. 26 And those who are fearful of the chastisement of their Lord-- 27 Lo! the doom of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure - 28 And those who protect their private organs (from adultery). 29 except in regard to their spouses and those whom their right hands possess, for in regard to them they are not reproachable, 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, then it is those who are trespassers. 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 And those who are firm upon their testimonies. 33 And those who of their prayer are observant. 34 Such will be the honoured ones in the Gardens (of Bliss). 35