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 To the disbelievers; of it there is no preventer. 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 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 But be patient (O Muhammad) with a patience fair to see. 5 Verily they behold it afar off. 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 The Day that the sky will be like the boiling filth of oil, (or molten copper or silver or lead, etc.). 8 and the mountains become like wool, 9 and no bosom friend will enquire about any of his bosom friends 10 They will be seeing them; the guilty will wish if only he could redeem himself from the punishment of that day, by offering his sons. 11 And his wife and his brother, 12 And the family in which he was. 13 And all those that are in the earth, (wishing) then (that) this might deliver him. 14 By no means! It will be the fierce flame 15 stripping away his skin, 16 It shall call him who turneth back and backslideth. 17 Who amasses and then hoards. 18 ۞ VERILY, man is born with a restless disposition. 19 When evil toucheth him, he is bewailing. 20 when good visits him, grudging, 21 except those that pray, 22 and are constant in their Prayer; 23 In whose wealth a due share is included 24 For the needy and those dispossessed, 25 those who firmly believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 and are fearful of the punishment of their Lord; 27 Verily! The torment of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure, 28 And those who of their private parts are guards. 29 Save with their wives and those whom their right hands possess, for thus they are not blameworthy; 30 but whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 And those who fulfil their trusts and covenants, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 and are steadfast in their prayers. 34 Those shall be in Gardens, high-honoured. 35