The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 The unbelievers-- there is none to avert it-- 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit mount up, in a day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore patiently endure, in the best manner (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him). 5 Verily they behold it afar off. 6 But We see it very near. 7 On the Day the sky will be like murky oil, 8 and the mountains shall be like puffs of wool. 9 And no friend will ask concerning his friend. 10 Though within sight of one another. The sinner would like to ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his sons, 11 And his spouse 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 Nay, verily it is a furnace 15 snatching away the scalp, 16 and drag into it anyone who has turned away (from obeying God), 17 And accumulated wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Surely man was created fretful, 19 Fretful when evil befalleth him 20 but when good comes upon him, he is grudging 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 who are constant in prayer; 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 fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 27 Indeed the punishment of their Lord is not a thing to be unafraid of! 28 And those who of their private parts are guards. 29 except from their spouses and those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock], for which they incur no blame -- 30 But he who seeks to go beyond this, these it is that go beyond the limits-- 31 And those who fulfil their trusts and covenants, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies. 33 And those who guard their Salat (prayers) well. 34 Such will be the honoured ones in the Gardens (of Bliss). 35