The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 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 To Him the angels and the Spirit mount up, in a day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore be patient, with a beautiful patience; 5 They see it [the Day of Judgement] to be far off, 6 but, We see it as near! 7 On the day when the heaven shall be as molten copper 8 And then the mountains shall become like unto wool dyed. 9 And no friend will ask [anything of] a 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 and his spouse and his brother, 12 the kinsmen who gave him shelter, 13 And all those who are in the earth – then only if the redemption saves him! 14 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 will strip-off the flesh 16 It calleth him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 and amassed (riches) and hoarded. 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 when misfortune touches him he starts lamenting, 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 and continue at their prayers, 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 For the petitioner and the deprived - 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgment, 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's torment 27 Lo! the doom of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure - 28 And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts from illegal sexual acts). 29 except from their wives and what their right hands own, for these they are not blameworthy. 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 and those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 They will be honoured in the Gardens of Bliss. 35