The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 which will inevitably seize the disbelievers. 2 from God, the Lord of the Stairways. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 So be thou patient with a sweet patience; 5 They see it [the Day of Judgement] to be far off, 6 But We see it very near. 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 And no friend will ask [anything of] a friend, 10 (Though) they shall be made to see each other. The guilty one would fain redeem himself from the chastisement of that day by (sacrificing) his children, 11 And his wife and his brother 12 and his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all those who are on the earth, to save himself. 14 No! Indeed, it is the Flame [of Hell], 15 Flaying off the scalp-skin. 16 It will claim all such as turn their backs [on what is right,] and turn away [from the truth,] 17 and who accumulated wealth without spending it for a good purpose. 18 ۞ Indeed man is created very impatient, greedy. 19 When they are afflicted, they complain, 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 Except those who establish prayer. 22 who are constant in prayer; 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 For those who beg, and for the needy who cannot even ask. 25 those who firmly believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who fear the torment of their Lord, 27 For their Lord's displeasure is the opposite of Peace and Tranquillity;- 28 and guard their private parts 29 except from their spouses and those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock], for which they incur no blame -- 30 but whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 and who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges: 32 and those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 Those shall dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35