The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
A questioner questioned concerning the doom about to fall 1 The unbelievers-- there is none to avert it-- 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 But be patient (O Muhammad) with a patience fair to see. 5 They see the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event): 6 And We see it nigh. 7 Upon the day when heaven shall be as molten copper 8 And then the mountains shall become like unto wool dyed. 9 And friend shall not ask of friend 10 Though they will be put in sight of each other,- the sinner's desire will be: Would that he could redeem himself from the Penalty of that Day by (sacrificing) his children, 11 his wife, his brother, 12 And his kindred who sheltered him, 13 and of whoever [else] lives on earth, all of them - so that he could but save himself. 14 By no means! It will be the fierce flame 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 and drag into it anyone who has turned away (from obeying God), 17 and amassed wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Lo! man was created anxious, 19 Fretful when evil befalleth him 20 And niggardly when good touches him; 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 Those who remain constant in their Salat (prayers); 23 and those in whose wealth there is a known right 24 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); 25 And those who believe the Day of Judgement to be true. 26 And those who are fearful of the punishment of their Lord - 27 For their Lord's displeasure is the opposite of Peace and Tranquillity;- 28 and guard their private parts 29 Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they are not to be blamed - 30 But he who seeks to go beyond this, these it is that go beyond the limits-- 31 (Those) who keep their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies. 33 and who observe their prayers. 34 They will be in gardens, honored. 35