The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
A questioner asked concerning a torment about 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 The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: 4 So be patient with gracious patience. 5 They think that it (the Day of Judgment) is far away. 6 But We see it [as] near. 7 On that Day the heavens shall become like molten brass, 8 And the mountains shall be as tufts of wool 9 And no familiar friend will ask a question of his friend 10 though they may be in one another's sight: [for,] everyone who was lost in sin will on that Day but desire to ransom himself from suffering at the price of his own children, 11 And his wife and his brother. 12 And his nearest kindred who shelter him 13 And all those who are in the earth – then only if the redemption saves him! 14 By no means! Surely it is a flaming fire 15 Eager to roast; 16 and drag into it anyone who has turned away (from obeying God), 17 and amass [wealth] and thereupon withhold [it from their fellow-men]. 18 ۞ Surely man was created fretful, 19 when misfortune touches him he starts lamenting, 20 And niggardly when good touches him; 21 Not so, however, those who consciously turn towards God in prayer. 22 and constant in their prayers. 23 And those within whose wealth is a known right 24 to those who ask [for help] and to the destitute; 25 who confirm the Day of Reckoning 26 And those who fear the torment of their Lord, 27 for none is secure from the punishment of their Lord, 28 and who are mindful of their chastity, 29 except in regard to their spouses and those whom their right hands possess, for in regard to them they are not reproachable, 30 And whosoever seeketh beyond that, then it is those who are the trespassers 31 And those who keep their pledges and their covenant, 32 And those who are in their testimonies upright 33 And those who protect their prayers. 34 They will be honoured in the Gardens of Bliss. 35