The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can repel, 2 From Allah, the Lord of the ways of Ascent. 3 all the angels and all the inspiration [ever granted to man] ascend unto Him [daily,] in a day the length whereof is [like] fifty thousand years… 4 So be patient with gracious patience. 5 Verily they behold it afar off. 6 But We see it very near. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the sky will become like molten brass, 8 and the mountains will become like tufts of wool, 9 And no friend will ask after a friend, 10 although they shall be within sight of one another. The guilty one would fain ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his children, 11 And his spouse 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 No! Indeed, it is the Flame [of Hell], 15 Flaying off the scalp-skin. 16 and drag into it anyone who has turned away (from obeying God), 17 and amass [wealth] and thereupon withhold [it from their fellow-men]. 18 ۞ Verily man is formed impatient. 19 Fretful when evil touches him; 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 Except those who establish prayer. 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 And those within whose wealth is a known right 24 for such as ask [for help] and such as are deprived [of what is good in life]; 25 And those who believe the Day of Judgement to be true. 26 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 27 for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure; 28 And those who preserve their chastity 29 save from their wives and what their right hands own, then not being blameworthy 30 but any who seeks to go beyond that, it is indeed they who are the transgressors, 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 And those who are firm upon their testimonies. 33 and are steadfast in their prayers. 34 all these shall live honourably in the Gardens. 35