The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 for the unbelievers, which none may avert, 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 To whom the angels and the soul take a day to ascend, whose length is fifty thousand years. 4 Wherefore be thou patient with a becoming patience. 5 They deem it to be remote. 6 but We see it near. 7 On the Day the sky will be like murky oil, 8 And the mountains shall be as tufts of wool 9 And no friend will ask after a friend, 10 Though they shall be made to see one another [(i.e. on the Day of Resurrection), there will be none but see his father, children and relatives, but he will neither speak to them nor will ask them for any help)], - the Mujrim, (criminal, sinner, disbeliever, etc.) would desire to ransom himself from the punishment of that Day by his children. 11 And his spouse and his brother 12 And his nearest kindred who shelter him 13 and all the people of the earth, if that could deliver him. 14 Nay, verily it is a furnace 15 tearing away his skin! 16 It calleth him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 And hoarded (wealth) and withheld it. 18 ۞ Indeed, the human was created grudging and impatient. 19 Being greatly grieved when evil afflicts him 20 And refraining, when good reaches him. 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 [and] who incessantly persevere in their 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 accept the truth of the judgment day 26 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 27 Indeed the punishment of their Lord is not a thing to be unafraid of! 28 those who preserve their chastity 29 save from their wives and what their right hands own, then not being blameworthy 30 but those who go beyond that limit are transgressors; 31 who honor their trust and promises, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies. 33 and who take due care of their Prayer: 34 Those are highly honored in the Gardens. 35