The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can repel, 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 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 Wherefore be thou patient with a becoming patience. 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 And We see it nigh. 7 The day the sky becomes like molten brass, 8 And the hills will be light as wool. 9 No loyal friend will ask another loyal 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 wife and his brother 12 and of all the kinsfolk who ever sheltered him, 13 and all persons of the earth, if only he could thus save himself. 14 Never! That is indeed a blazing fire. 15 Taking away (burning completely) the head skin! 16 calling him who drew back and turned away, 17 Who amasses and then hoards. 18 ۞ Indeed, man is born impatient: 19 Very nervous when touched by misfortune. 20 And when good toucheth him he is begrudging. 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 and are constant in their Prayer; 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 24 For those who beg, and for the needy who cannot even ask. 25 those who firmly believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 and go in fear of the punishment of their Lord, 27 the punishment of their Lord is not something for them to feel secure of, 28 And those who guard their sex except from their wives and women slaves of old 29 Save with their wives and those whom their right hands possess, for thus they are not blameworthy; 30 but whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who keep a guard on their prayer, 34 Those shall dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35