The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can avert, 2 from God, the Lord of the Stairways. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit mount up, in a day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 But We see it [as] near. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the sky will become like molten brass, 8 and the mountains will become like dyed tufts of wool, 9 And no friend inquires after 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 all persons of the earth, if only he could thus save himself. 14 By no means! For the raging flames of the fire 15 stripping away his skin, 16 calling him who drew back and turned away, 17 and amass [wealth] and thereupon withhold [it from their fellow-men]. 18 ۞ Truly man was created very impatient;- 19 bewailing when evil befalls him, 20 And niggardly when good reaches him;- 21 except those that pray 22 Those who are constant at their prayer 23 And in whose wealth there is a right acknowledged 24 for the beggar and the outcast, 25 And those who testify to the Day of Requital. 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 those who preserve their chastity 29 Save with their wives and those whom their right hands possess, for thus they are not blameworthy; 30 but those who go beyond that limit are transgressors; 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 And those who are firm upon their testimonies. 33 And those who are attentive at their worship. 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35