The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
Someone has (needlessly) demanded to experience the torment (of God), 1 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 The angels and Jibreel, ascend towards Him – the punishment will befall on a day which spans fifty thousand years. 4 Wherefore be thou patient with a becoming patience. 5 Verily they behold it afar off. 6 but We see it near. 7 The Day that the sky will be like the boiling filth of oil, (or molten copper or silver or lead, etc.). 8 The mountains like the tufts of (carded) wool, 9 And no friend will ask concerning his friend. 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 His kindred who sheltered him, 13 And all that are in the earth, so that it might save him. 14 By no means! Verily it is a Flame. 15 Flaying off the scalp-skin. 16 and drag into it anyone who has turned away (from obeying God), 17 who amassed and hoarded. 18 ۞ Indeed, the human was created grudging and impatient. 19 When they are afflicted, they complain, 20 And niggardly when good touches him; 21 except those that pray 22 and constant in their prayers. 23 And those in whose wealth there is a known right, 24 For him who begs and for him who is denied (good) 25 who acknowledge the Day of Judgment, 26 And those who fear the torment of their Lord, 27 Surely the chastisement of their Lord is (a thing) not to be felt secure of-- 28 And 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 but those who go beyond that limit are transgressors; 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 who testify to what they have witnessed, 33 and who observe their prayers. 34 Those shall be in Gardens, high-honoured. 35