The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can avert, 2 (A Penalty) from Allah, Lord of the Ways of Ascent. 3 The angels and Jibreel, ascend towards Him – the punishment will befall on a day which spans fifty thousand years. 4 But be patient (O Muhammad) with a patience fair to see. 5 Verily! They see it (the torment) afar off, 6 Whereas We see it impending. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the heaven shall become like unto dregs of oil. 8 And the mountains shall be as tufts of wool 9 and [when] 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 spouse and his brother. 12 And his family who had stood by him, 13 and all persons of the earth, if only he could thus save himself. 14 No, in truth, it is a Furnace! 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 It shall claim him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from spending it in the Cause of Allah). 18 ۞ Verily man is formed impatient. 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 And refraining, when good reaches him. 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 Those who are regular in their prayers. 23 And in whose wealth there is a right acknowledged 24 For the needy and those dispossessed, 25 and those who believe in the Day of Judgement 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's doom - 27 surely the chastisement of their Lord is a thing none can feel secure from – 28 who guard their carnal desires 29 Save with their wives and those whom their right hands possess, for thus they are not blameworthy; 30 (but whoso seeks after more than that, they are the transgressors), 31 And those who are faithful to their trusts and their covenant 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies. 33 and are steadfast in their prayers. 34 These will dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35