The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Someone has (needlessly) demanded to experience the torment (of God), 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: 4 (Muhammad), exercise patience with no complaints. 5 behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away 6 but We see it near at hand. 7 Upon the day when heaven shall be as molten copper 8 And then the mountains shall become like unto wool dyed. 9 no loyal friend shall question loyal friend, 10 Though within sight of one another. The sinner would like to ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his sons, 11 His wife and his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 And whoever is on earth entirely [so] then it could save him. 14 No! Indeed, it is the Flame [of Hell], 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 It shall insistently summon him who turned his back and retreated, 17 Who amasses and then hoards. 18 ۞ Surely man was created fretful, 19 When they are afflicted, they complain, 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 Save worshippers. 22 Those who are constant in their prayer 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 For the beggar and the destitute. 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord. 27 Indeed the punishment of their Lord is not a thing to be unafraid of! 28 who guard their privates 29 Except with their wives and the (women slaves and captives) whom their right hands possess, for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 But whoso seeketh more than that, those are they who are transgressors; 31 And those who are faithful to their trusts and their covenant 32 who testify to what they have witnessed, 33 And those who are mindful of their moral obligations. 34 It is these who will be honoured in Gardens. 35