The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Someone has (needlessly) demanded to experience the torment (of God), 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, 3 To whom the angels and the soul take a day to ascend, whose length is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). 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 the boiling filth of oil, (or molten copper or silver or lead, etc.). 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 even intimate friends will not inquire about their friends, 10 though they are in sight of each other. To ransom himself from the punishment of that Day, the sinner will wish that he might even ransom himself by his sons, 11 And his spouse and his brother. 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 And all those that are in the earth, (wishing) then (that) this might deliver him. 14 By no means! Surely it is a flaming fire 15 Dragging by the head, 16 It shall claim him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 and amassed (riches) and hoarded. 18 ۞ VERILY, man is born with a restless disposition. 19 Fretful when evil touches him; 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 Those who are constant in their prayer 23 those who give a due share of their wealth 24 For the petitioner and the deprived - 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense 26 and are fearful of the punishment of their Lord; 27 Lo! the doom of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure - 28 And those who protect their private organs (from adultery). 29 Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they are not to be blamed - 30 but whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 and who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges: 32 and who stand firm whenever they bear witness; 33 And those who of their prayer are observant. 34 Such shall dwell in the Gardens (i.e. Paradise) honoured. 35