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 The unbelievers-- there is none to avert it-- 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 by which the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him in one Day which will last for fifty thousand years. 4 Wherefore be thou patient with a becoming patience. 5 Indeed, they see it [as] distant, 6 But We see it very near. 7 The day the sky becomes like molten brass, 8 The mountains like the tufts of (carded) wool, 9 even intimate friends will not inquire about their friends, 10 although they shall be within sight of one another. The guilty one would fain ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his children, 11 And his wife and his brother 12 His kindred who sheltered him, 13 And all that are in the earth, if then it might deliver him. 14 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 snatching away the scalp, 16 Inviting (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from the Right). 17 and amass [wealth] and thereupon withhold [it from their fellow-men]. 18 ۞ Verily man is impatient by nature: 19 Fretful when evil touches him; 20 but when good comes upon him, he is grudging 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 Those who are regular in their prayers. 23 and those in whose wealth there is a known right 24 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); 25 And those who accept the truth of the judgment day 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord. 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 in regard to their spouses and those whom their right hands possess, for in regard to them they are not reproachable, 30 But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors;- 31 (Those) who keep their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who are firm upon their testimonies. 33 and who observe their prayers. 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35