The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- 2 from God, the Lord of the Stairways. 3 To whom the angels and the soul take a day to ascend, whose length is fifty thousand years. 4 Wherefore be thou patient with a becoming patience. 5 they see it as being far off; 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 On the Day the sky will be like murky oil, 8 and the mountains shall be as plucked wool-tufts, 9 And no friend inquires after friend 10 They will be seeing them; the guilty will wish if only he could redeem himself from the punishment of that day, by offering his sons. 11 his companion wife, his brother, 12 And his kindred who sheltered him, 13 And all those who are on the earth, to save himself. 14 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 It will claim all such as turn their backs [on what is right,] and turn away [from the truth,] 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Indeed, the human was created grudging and impatient. 19 Fretful when evil befalleth him 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 Those who remain constant in their Salat (prayers); 23 In whose wealth a due share is included 24 for the beggar and the outcast, 25 And those who accept the truth of the judgment day 26 and are fearful of the punishment of their Lord; 27 the punishment of their Lord is not something for them to feel secure of, 28 And those who of their private parts are guards. 29 [not giving way to their desires] with any but their spouses - that is, those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock]: for then, behold, they are free of all blame, 30 but those who go beyond that limit are transgressors; 31 who honor their trust and promises, 32 And those who are firm upon their testimonies. 33 And those who of their prayer are observant. 34 Such shall dwell in the Gardens (i.e. Paradise) honoured. 35