The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 from God, the Lord of the Stairways. 3 Whereby the angels ascend unto Him and also the spirit, On a Day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore, [O believers] behave with seemly patience. 5 behold, they see it as if far off; 6 but We see it is nigh. 7 On the day when the heavens become like molten metal. 8 and the mountains shall be as plucked wool-tufts, 9 And friend shall not ask of friend 10 though they shall be within sight of each other. The guilty one will gladly ransom himself from the torment of that Day by sacrificing his own children, 11 His wife and his brother, 12 And the nearest of his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all that are in the earth, if then it might deliver him. 14 By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell!- 15 A fire that melts the hide. 16 It shall call him who turneth back and backslideth. 17 Who amasses and then hoards. 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 when evil visits him, impatient, 20 And niggardly when good befalls him 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 who are constant in prayer; 23 In whose wealth a due share is included 24 For the needy and those dispossessed, 25 who confirm the Day of Doom 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's doom - 27 for none may ever feel secure from the punishment of their Lord; 28 who guard their carnal desires 29 Except with their wives and the (women slaves and captives) whom their right hands possess, for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 But whoever seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors - 31 And those who fulfil their trusts and covenants, 32 And those who stand by their testimony 33 and who guard their prayers [from all worldly intent]. 34 They will live in gardens with honour. 35