The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 for the unbelievers, which none may avert, 2 From Allah, the Lord of the ways of ascent. 3 by which the angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in one Day the duration of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 They see the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event): 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 The Day that the sky will be like molten brass, 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 No loyal friend will ask another loyal friend 10 Though they shall be made to see one another [(i.e. on the Day of Resurrection), there will be none but see his father, children and relatives, but he will neither speak to them nor will ask them for any help)], - the Mujrim, (criminal, sinner, disbeliever, etc.) would desire to ransom himself from the punishment of that Day by his children. 11 And his wife and his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 And all who are on the earth; so that this might deliver him. 14 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 Plucking out (his being) right to the skull!- 16 Calling: "[O Kafir (O disbeliever in Allah, His angels, His Book, His Messengers, Day of Resurrection and in Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments), O Mushrik (O polytheist, disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah)] (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from Faith) [picking and swallowing them up from that great gathering of mankind (on the Day of Resurrection) just as a bird picks up a food-grain from the earth with its beak and swallows it up] [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, Vol. 18, Page 289] 17 and who accumulated wealth without spending it for a good purpose. 18 ۞ Lo! man was created anxious, 19 when misfortune touches him he starts lamenting, 20 And niggardly when good befalls him 21 except those who are steadfast 22 who are steadfast in prayer; 23 and those in whose wealth there is a known right 24 For those who beg, and for the needy who cannot even ask. 25 And those who 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 guard 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 whoso seeks after more than that, they are the transgressors), 31 And those who respect their trusts and covenants; 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies. 33 and are steadfast in their prayers. 34 They will be in gardens, honored. 35