The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 those who deny the truth. [Know, then, that] nothing can ward it off, 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 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 Wherefore be thou patient with a becoming patience. 5 behold, they see it as if far off; 6 And We see it nigh. 7 The day when the sky will become as molten copper, 8 and the mountains shall be as plucked wool-tufts, 9 And no friend will ask of a friend, 10 although they shall be within sight of one another. The guilty one would fain ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his children, 11 his companion wife, his brother, 12 And the nearest of his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And whoever is on earth entirely [so] then it could save him. 14 By no means! Verily, it will be the Fire of Hell! 15 snatching away the scalp, 16 It invites he who turned his back [on truth] and went away [from obedience] 17 who amassed and hoarded. 18 ۞ Verily man is impatient by nature: 19 When evil comes upon him he is impatient; 20 And when good toucheth him he is begrudging. 21 Except those who establish prayer. 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 They are those who assign a certain share of their property 24 For the beggar who asks, and for the unlucky who has lost his property and wealth, (and his means of living has been straitened); 25 and who accept as true the [coming of the] Day of Judgment; 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's doom - 27 Surely no one can be secure from the punishment of his Lord, -- 28 And those who guard their private parts 29 Except in the case of their wives or those whom their right hands possess-- for these surely are not to be blamed, 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, they are the transgressors. 31 and who preserve their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who stand by their testimony 33 and who guard their prayers [from all worldly intent]. 34 Those shall be in gardens, honored. 35