The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 The unbelievers-- there is none to avert it-- 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 3 The angels and Jibreel, ascend towards Him – the punishment will befall on a day which spans fifty thousand years. 4 So be patient with gracious patience. 5 Indeed, they see it [as] distant, 6 While we behold it nigh: 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 and the mountains will be like tufts of wool, 9 and no bosom friend will enquire about any of his bosom friends 10 Though they will be given sight of them. The guilty man will long to be able to ransom himself from the punishment of that day at the price of his children 11 His wife and his brother, 12 And his nearest kindred who shelter him 13 and of whoever [else] lives on earth, all of them - so that he could but save himself. 14 But never. It is pure white flame 15 stripping away his skin, 16 It will summon whoever turns his back and flees, 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from spending it in the Cause of Allah). 18 ۞ Indeed, man is born impatient: 19 Irritable (discontented) when evil touches him; 20 And niggardly when good touches him; 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 Those who are constant in their prayer 23 And those in whose wealth there is a fixed portion. 24 for the needy and the deprived, 25 who acknowledge the Day of Judgment, 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's doom - 27 Surely no one can be secure from the punishment of his Lord, -- 28 who guard their carnal desires 29 [not giving way to their desires] with any but their spouses - that is, those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock]: for then, behold, they are free of all blame, 30 But those who seek more than this will be transgressors; 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 They will be honoured in the Gardens of Bliss. 35