The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 Whereby the angels ascend unto Him and also the spirit, On a Day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 So be patient with gracious patience. 5 They see the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event): 6 And We see it nigh. 7 On that Day the heaven shall become like molten copper, 8 and the mountains will be like tufts of wool, 9 And no familiar friend will ask a question of his friend 10 Though they shall be made to see one another. Fain would the guilty ransom himself from the torment of that Day by his children. 11 His wife and his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, all together, so that then it might deliver him. 14 But nay! Verily, all [that awaits him] is a raging flame, 15 will strip-off the flesh 16 Inviting (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from the Right). 17 And hoarded (wealth) and withheld it. 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 Irritable (discontented) when evil touches him; 20 but when good comes upon him, he is grudging 21 Except those who pray, 22 and constant in their prayers. 23 They are those who assign a certain share of their property 24 for those that ask and those that are dispossessed, 25 And those who hold to the truth of the Day of Judgment; 26 and go in fear of the chastisement of their Lord 27 the punishment of their Lord is not something for them to feel secure of, 28 And those who guard their sex except from their wives and women slaves of old 29 Except in the case of their wives or those whom their right hands possess-- for these surely are not to be blamed, 30 but whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 And those who keep their trusts and covenants; 32 And those who are upright in their testimonies, 33 And those who protect their prayers. 34 Those are highly honored in the Gardens. 35