The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A caller supplicated about a punishment to fall on 1 Upon the infidels -- which none would be able to repel -- 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, 3 On that Day (of Judgment), long as fifty thousand years, the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him. 4 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 they see it as being far off; 6 but We see it near. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the heaven shall become like unto dregs of oil. 8 And the hills will be light as wool. 9 And no friend will ask after a friend, 10 though they may be in one another's sight: [for,] everyone who was lost in sin will on that Day but desire to ransom himself from suffering at the price of his own children, 11 his wife, his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 and all persons of the earth, if only he could thus save himself. 14 But no! There is a raging blaze 15 stripping away his skin, 16 It shall claim him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 who amassed and hoarded. 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 And when good touches him, withholding [of it], 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 Those who are constant at their prayer 23 those who give a due share of their wealth 24 for the beggar and the outcast, 25 And those who testify to the Day of Requital. 26 And those who fear the displeasure 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 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 fulfil their trusts and covenants, 32 And those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who protect their prayers. 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35