The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
A beseecher besought the visitation of chastisement, 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 To Him ascend the angels and the Spirit in a day the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). 5 They surely take it to be far away, 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 The Day that the sky will be like the boiling filth of oil, (or molten copper or silver or lead, etc.). 8 and the mountains shall be as plucked wool-tufts, 9 and no friend will ask about his friend, 10 They will be seeing them; the guilty will wish if only he could redeem himself from the punishment of that day, by offering his sons. 11 And his wife and his brother. 12 And the family in which he was. 13 and whosoever is in the earth, altogether, so that it might save him. 14 But nay! Verily, all [that awaits him] is a raging flame, 15 Dragging by the head, 16 calling him who drew back and turned away, 17 and amass [wealth] and thereupon withhold [it from their fellow-men]. 18 ۞ VERILY, man is born with a restless disposition. 19 When evil comes upon him he is impatient; 20 when good visits him, grudging, 21 Except those devoted to Salat (prayers) 22 and constant in their prayers. 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 For him who begs and for him who is denied (good) 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's doom - 27 Verily! The torment of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure, 28 And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts from illegal sexual acts). 29 except from their spouses and those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock], for which they incur no blame -- 30 But those who seek more than this will be transgressors; 31 And those who are faithful to their trusts and their covenant 32 Who uphold their testimonies, 33 And those who of their prayer are observant. 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35