The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 The infidels, of which there is no averter. 2 From Allah, the Lord of the ways of Ascent. 3 (Whereby) the angels and the Spirit ascend unto Him in a Day whereof the span is 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 The day when the sky will become as molten copper, 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 and [when] no friend will ask about his friend, 10 though they are in sight of each other. To ransom himself from the punishment of that Day, the sinner will wish that he might even ransom himself by his sons, 11 And his wife and his brother 12 And his kindred who sheltered him, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, altogether, so that it might save him. 14 By no means! For the raging flames of the fire 15 Dragging by the head, 16 It shall call him who turneth back and backslideth. 17 and amassed (riches) and hoarded. 18 ۞ VERILY, man is born with a restless disposition. 19 Fretful when evil befalleth him 20 And niggardly when good touches him; 21 Not so, however, those who consciously turn towards God in prayer. 22 who are steadfast in prayer; 23 and those in whose wealth there is a known right 24 For the beggar and the destitute; 25 And those who testify to the Day of Requital. 26 and go in fear of the chastisement of their Lord 27 Surely the chastisement of their Lord is (a thing) not to be felt secure of-- 28 those who preserve their chastity 29 Are free of blame, 30 But those who seek more than this will be transgressors; 31 And those who are to their trusts and promises attentive 32 and standby their witnessing, 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35