The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 The infidels, of which there is no averter. 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 Whereby the angels ascend unto Him and also the spirit, On a Day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 Wherefore be thou patient with a becoming patience. 5 behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away 6 while We think that it is near at hand. 7 The day the sky becomes like molten brass, 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 and [when] no friend will ask about his friend, 10 Though they will be given sight of them. The guilty man will long to be able to ransom himself from the punishment of that day at the price of his children 11 his companion wife, his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, altogether, so that it might save him. 14 But nay! Verily, all [that awaits him] is a raging flame, 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 Inviting (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from the Right). 17 and amassed wealth and covetously hoarded it. 18 ۞ Indeed, man is born impatient: 19 Very nervous when touched by misfortune. 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he selfishly withholds it [from others]. 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 Who persevere in devotion, 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 for the needy and the deprived, 25 and who accept as true the [coming of the] Day of Judgment; 26 and who stand in dread of their Sustainer's chastisement 27 for none is secure from the punishment of their Lord, 28 and who are mindful of their chastity, 29 save from their wives and what their right hands own, then not being blameworthy 30 But whoever seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors - 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who guard (the sacredness) of their worship;- 34 These will dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35