The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- 2 From Allah, Owner of the ascending steps. 3 To whom the angels and the soul take a day to ascend, whose length is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore endure with a goodly patience. 5 Verily they behold it afar off. 6 but We see it near. 7 Upon the day when heaven shall be as molten copper 8 And the hills will be light as wool. 9 No loyal friend will ask another loyal 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 his kin that sheltered him. 13 and all persons of the earth, if only he could thus save himself. 14 Nay, verily it is a furnace 15 stripping away his skin, 16 It shall claim him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 and amassed wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Indeed, mankind was created anxious: 19 Fretful when evil touches him; 20 And niggardly when good touches him; 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 Those who are constant at their prayer 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 24 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); 25 who confirm the Day of Reckoning 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord. 27 Lo! the doom of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure - 28 and guard their private parts 29 Except in the case of their wives or those whom their right hands possess-- for these surely are not to be blamed, 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, then it is those who are trespassers. 31 (Those) who keep their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who are firm upon their testimonies. 33 And those who are attentive at their worship. 34 Such shall dwell in the Gardens (i.e. Paradise) honoured. 35