The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 Upon the disbelievers – the punishment that none can avert. 2 No one can defend him against God, the Lord of the exalted positions. 3 The angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years, 4 So be thou patient with a sweet patience; 5 They see the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event): 6 But We see it (quite) near. 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 And no friend will ask of a friend, 10 as they are given sight of them. The sinner will wish that he might ransom himself from the chastisement of that day even by his sons, 11 and of his spouse, and of his brother, 12 And the nearest of his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all that are in the earth, if then it might deliver him. 14 By no means! Verily it is a Flame. 15 snatching away the scalp, 16 It shall insistently summon him who turned his back and retreated, 17 And hoarded (wealth) and withheld it. 18 ۞ Surely man is created of a hasty temperament 19 when misfortune touches him he starts lamenting, 20 And niggardly when good touches him; 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 and are constant in their Prayer; 23 those who give a due share of their wealth 24 for such as ask [for help] and such as are deprived [of what is good in life]; 25 And those who testify to the Day of Requital. 26 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 27 Indeed the punishment of their Lord is not a thing to be unafraid of! 28 and who are mindful of their chastity, 29 except from their wives and what their right hands own, for these they are not blameworthy. 30 And whosoever seeketh beyond that, then it is those who are the trespassers 31 who honor their trust and promises, 32 And those who are in their testimonies upright 33 and who take due care of their Prayer: 34 Such will be the honoured ones in the Gardens (of Bliss). 35