The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
A beseecher besought the visitation of chastisement, 1 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 3 Whereby the angels ascend unto Him and also the spirit, On a Day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 So, (O Prophet), persevere with gracious perseverance. 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 Whereas We see it impending. 7 The Day that the sky will be like the boiling filth of oil, (or molten copper or silver or lead, etc.). 8 and the mountains shall be as plucked wool-tufts, 9 No loyal friend will ask another loyal friend 10 (Though) they shall be made to see each other. The guilty one would fain redeem himself from the chastisement of that day by (sacrificing) his children, 11 And his wife and his brother, 12 And his family who had stood by him, 13 And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: 14 By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell!- 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 and it will claim all those who turned their backs [on the true faith] and turned away [from the truth], 17 and who accumulated wealth without spending it for a good purpose. 18 ۞ Indeed, mankind was created anxious: 19 Irritable (discontented) when evil touches him; 20 And niggardly when good befalls him 21 save those that pray 22 who are steadfast in prayer; 23 And those in whose riches is a known right. 24 for those that ask and those that are dispossessed, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense 26 and are fearful of the punishment of their Lord; 27 Verily the torment of their Lord is not a thing to feel secure from. 28 And those who of their private parts are guards. 29 Save with their wives and those whom their right hands possess, for thus they are not blameworthy; 30 But whoever seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors - 31 And those who respect their trusts and covenants; 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 And those who guard (the sacredness) of their worship;- 34 Those are highly honored in the Gardens. 35