The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the 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 (A punishment) from Allah, the Owner of the Elevated Passages. 3 by which the angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in one Day the duration of which is fifty thousand years. 4 So, (O Prophet), persevere with gracious perseverance. 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 But We see it very near. 7 The day when the sky will become as molten copper, 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 no loyal friend shall question loyal friend, 10 Though within sight of one another. The sinner would like to ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his sons, 11 and of his spouse, and of 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 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 It invites he who turned his back [on truth] and went away [from obedience] 17 who amassed and hoarded. 18 ۞ Verily man is impatient by nature: 19 Fretful when evil touches him; 20 And, when good befalleth him, grudging; 21 But not so the worshippers 22 and are constant in their Prayer; 23 And those in whose wealth there is a fixed portion. 24 For those who beg, and for the needy who cannot even ask. 25 and those who believe in the Day of Judgement 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's doom - 27 Indeed, the punishment of their Lord is not that from which one is safe - 28 and those who guard their private parts, 29 except from their spouses and those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock], for which they incur no blame -- 30 But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors;- 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 and perform their witnessings, 33 And those who are mindful of their moral obligations. 34 These will dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35