The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can avert, 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore endure with a goodly patience. 5 They deem it to be remote. 6 but We see it to be very near. 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 And then the mountains shall become like unto wool dyed. 9 And friend shall not ask of friend 10 though they are in sight of each other. To ransom himself from the punishment of that Day, the sinner will wish that he might even ransom himself by his sons, 11 his companion (wife), his brother, 12 And his nearest kindred who shelter him 13 And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: 14 But never. It is pure white flame 15 Flaying off the scalp-skin. 16 It invites he who turned his back [on truth] and went away [from obedience] 17 And hoarded (wealth) and withheld it. 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 And when good touches him, withholding [of it], 21 Except those who pray, 22 Those who are regular in their prayers. 23 And those within whose wealth is a known right 24 For the beggar who asks, and for the unlucky who has lost his property and wealth, (and his means of living has been straitened); 25 And those who believe the Day of Judgement to be true. 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord. 27 the punishment of their Lord is not something for them to feel secure of, 28 and who are mindful of their chastity, 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 any who seeks to go beyond that, it is indeed they who are the transgressors, 31 (Those) who keep their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies. 33 and who observe their prayers. 34 Those are highly honored in the Gardens. 35