The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 From Allah, the Lord of the ways of Ascent. 3 The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: 4 (Muhammad), exercise patience with no complaints. 5 Verily! They see it (the torment) afar off, 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 The day when the sky will be like molten silver. 8 and the mountains will become like tufts of wool, 9 No loyal friend will ask another loyal friend 10 though they are in sight of each other. To ransom himself from the punishment of that Day, the sinner will wish that he might even ransom himself by his sons, 11 And his wife and his brother 12 And his family who had stood by him, 13 And all those that are in the earth, (wishing) then (that) this might deliver him. 14 By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell!- 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 It invites he who turned his back [on truth] and went away [from obedience] 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from spending it in the Cause of Allah). 18 ۞ Indeed, the human was created grudging and impatient. 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 And niggardly when good befalls him 21 except those that pray, 22 Who are at their prayer constant. 23 those who give a due share of their wealth 24 For the beggar who asks, and for the unlucky who has lost his property and wealth, (and his means of living has been straitened); 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord, -- 27 Indeed, the punishment of their Lord is not that from which one is safe - 28 And those who preserve their chastity 29 Except with their wives and the bondwomen in their possession, for there is no reproach on them. 30 And whosoever seeketh beyond that, then it is those who are the trespassers 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 Such will be the honoured ones in the Gardens (of Bliss). 35