The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can repel, 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 So persevere with becoming patience. 5 They think that it (the Day of Judgment) is far away. 6 but We see it near. 7 The day when the sky will be like molten silver. 8 And the mountains will be like flakes of wool, 9 And no friend will ask [anything of] a friend, 10 Though they shall be made to see one another. Fain would the guilty ransom himself from the torment of that Day by his children. 11 And his spouse and his brother 12 the kinsmen who gave him shelter, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, altogether, so that it might save him. 14 Never! That is indeed a blazing fire. 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 It calls out to him who reverted and turned away. 17 And masseth and then hoardeth. 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 And niggardly when good befalls him 21 But not so the worshippers 22 who are steadfast in prayer; 23 And in whose wealth there is a right acknowledged 24 for those that ask and those that are dispossessed, 25 and those who believe in the Day of Judgement 26 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 27 Surely no one can be secure from the punishment of his Lord, -- 28 And those who guard their private parts 29 Save with their wives and those whom their right hands possess, for thus they are not blameworthy; 30 but those who go beyond that limit are transgressors; 31 And those who respect their trusts and covenants; 32 and those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who are attentive at their worship. 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35