The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 which will inevitably seize the disbelievers. 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 The angels and Jibreel, ascend towards Him – the punishment will befall on a day which spans fifty thousand years. 4 Wherefore be thou patient with a becoming patience. 5 Verily they behold it afar off. 6 but We see it to be very near. 7 The day when the sky will be like molten silver. 8 And the hills will be light as wool. 9 even intimate friends will not inquire about their friends, 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 And his wife and his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all who are on the earth; so that this might deliver him. 14 But never. It is pure white flame 15 Dragging by the head, 16 and it will claim all those who turned their backs [on the true faith] and turned away [from the truth], 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Surely man was created fretful, 19 bewailing when evil befalls him, 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he selfishly withholds it [from others]. 21 except those that pray 22 Who persevere in devotion, 23 and those in whose wealth there is a known right 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 fear the chastisement of their Lord – 27 for none is secure from the punishment of their Lord, 28 who guard their privates 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 whosoever seeks beyond that, they are the transgressors. 31 (Those) who keep their trusts and their covenant, 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 And those who are mindful of their moral obligations. 34 These will dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35