The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
A questioner asked about a Penalty to befall- 1 those who deny the truth. [Know, then, that] nothing can ward it off, 2 From Allah, the Lord of the 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 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 They deem it to be remote. 6 but We see it near. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the sky will become like molten brass, 8 And the mountains will be like flakes of wool, 9 And no friend will ask concerning his friend. 10 Though they will be put in sight of each other,- the sinner's desire will be: Would that he could redeem himself from the Penalty of that Day by (sacrificing) his children, 11 his companion wife, his brother, 12 the kinsmen who gave him shelter, 13 And all that are in the earth, if then it might deliver him. 14 But no! There is a raging blaze 15 that will strip off the scalp. 16 and it will claim all those who turned their backs [on the true faith] and turned away [from the truth], 17 and amassed wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Indeed, mankind was created anxious: 19 If evil befalls him he is perturbed; 20 And niggardly when good reaches him;- 21 save those that pray 22 Who are at their prayer constant. 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 24 for the impoverished nonrequester and the requester, 25 and those who believe in the Day of Judgement 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord, -- 27 Indeed the punishment of their Lord is not a thing to be unafraid of! 28 who guard their carnal desires 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 trespass beyond this are transgressors;- 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 who testify to what they have witnessed, 33 and who guard their prayers [from all worldly intent]. 34 all these shall live honourably in the Gardens. 35