The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 for the unbelievers, which none may avert, 2 From Allah, the Lord of the ways of ascent. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 (Muhammad), exercise patience with no complaints. 5 They see the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event): 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 and the mountains will be like tufts of wool, 9 and no friend will ask about his friend, 10 (Though) they shall be made to see each other. The guilty one would fain redeem himself from the chastisement of that day by (sacrificing) his children, 11 His wife and his brother, 12 And his nearest kindred who shelter him 13 and all the people of the earth, if that could deliver him. 14 By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell!- 15 will strip-off the flesh 16 It shall call him who turneth back and backslideth. 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from use)! 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 bewailing when evil befalls him, 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 except those that pray 22 who are steadfast in prayer; 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 for the beggar and the outcast, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's torment 27 for none is secure from the punishment of their Lord, 28 and guard their private parts 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 keep their trusts and covenants; 32 and who stand firm whenever they bear witness; 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35