The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 Upon the disbelievers – the punishment that none can avert. 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, 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 On that Day the heaven shall become like molten copper, 8 And the mountains will be like flakes of wool, 9 And no friend will ask of a friend, 10 though they are in sight of each other. To ransom himself from the punishment of that Day, the sinner will wish that he might even ransom himself by his sons, 11 his wife, his brother, 12 And his kindred who sheltered him, 13 And all that are in the earth, so that it might save him. 14 No, in truth, it is a Furnace! 15 Flaying off the scalp-skin. 16 It invites he who turned his back [on truth] and went away [from obedience] 17 and amassed (riches) and hoarded. 18 ۞ Surely man was created fretful, 19 Fretful when evil touches him; 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 Except the observers of prayer - 22 [and] who incessantly persevere in their prayer 23 And those in whose wealth there is a known right, 24 For the petitioner and the deprived - 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense 26 and who stand in dread of their Sustainer's chastisement 27 (from their Lord's chastisement none feels secure) 28 And those who protect their private organs (from adultery). 29 Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 but whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 and who stand firm whenever they bear witness; 33 and who guard their prayers [from all worldly intent]. 34 Those are highly honored in the Gardens. 35