The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Someone has (needlessly) demanded to experience the torment (of God), 1 for the unbelievers, which none may avert, 2 [since it will come] from God, unto whom there are many ways of ascent: 3 Whereby the angels ascend unto Him and also the spirit, On a Day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 So, (O Prophet), persevere with gracious perseverance. 5 Verily they behold it afar off. 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 On the day when the heaven shall be as molten copper 8 and the mountains shall be as plucked wool-tufts, 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 his wife, his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 And all those who are in the earth – then only if the redemption saves him! 14 By no means! It will be the fierce flame 15 snatching away the scalp, 16 and drag into it anyone who has turned away (from obeying God), 17 and amassed wealth and covetously hoarded it. 18 ۞ Verily man is formed impatient. 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 but when good comes upon him, he is grudging 21 Except the observers of prayer - 22 Those who remain constant in their Salat (prayers); 23 And in whose wealth there is a right acknowledged 24 to those who ask [for help] and to the destitute; 25 those who firmly believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's torment 27 Surely the chastisement of their Lord is (a thing) not to be felt secure of-- 28 and those who guard their private parts, 29 Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they are not to be blamed - 30 (but whoso seeks after more than that, they are the transgressors), 31 and those who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges; 32 And those who are in their testimonies upright 33 and who observe their prayers. 34 Those shall dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35