The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 Upon the infidels -- which none would be able to repel -- 2 (A punishment) from Allah, the Owner of the Elevated Passages. 3 all the angels and all the inspiration [ever granted to man] ascend unto Him [daily,] in a day the length whereof is [like] fifty thousand years… 4 So persevere with becoming patience. 5 They surely take it to be far away, 6 But We see it [as] near. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the sky will become like molten brass, 8 and the mountains shall be as plucked wool-tufts, 9 and no bosom friend will enquire about any of his bosom friends 10 though they shall be within sight of each other. The guilty one will gladly ransom himself from the torment of that Day by sacrificing his own children, 11 and his spouse and his brother, 12 And his kin that harboured him 13 And all that are in the earth, if then it might deliver him. 14 But never. It is pure white flame 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 It shall claim him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from spending it in the Cause of Allah). 18 ۞ Verily man is formed impatient. 19 Fretful when evil touches him; 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 Except those who establish prayer. 22 and are constant in their Prayer; 23 And those in whose riches is a known right. 24 For the beggar and the destitute; 25 who confirm the Day of Doom 26 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 27 Surely no one can be secure from the punishment of his Lord, -- 28 those who preserve their chastity 29 [not giving way to their desires] with any but their spouses - that is, those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock]: for then, behold, they are free of all blame, 30 So those who desire more than this – it is they who are the transgressors. 31 And those who are faithful to their trusts and their covenant 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 And those who keep a guard on their prayer, 34 Those shall be in gardens, honored. 35