The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Someone has (needlessly) demanded to experience the torment (of God), 1 for the unbelievers, which none may avert, 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 To Him ascend the angels and the Spirit in a day the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 So, (O Prophet), persevere with gracious perseverance. 5 Lo! they behold it afar off 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 On the day when the heaven shall be as molten copper 8 and the mountains will be like tufts of wool, 9 And no friend will ask after 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 his companion wife, his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all those who are in the earth – then only if the redemption saves him! 14 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 It will claim all such as turn their backs [on what is right,] and turn away [from the truth,] 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 When evil comes upon him he is impatient; 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 and continue at their prayers, 23 In whose wealth a due share is included 24 for the needy and the deprived, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord, -- 27 surely the chastisement of their Lord is a thing none can feel secure from – 28 And those who guard their private parts 29 Save with their wives and those whom their right hands possess, for thus they are not blameworthy; 30 But whoever seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors - 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 and are steadfast in their prayers. 34 Such will be the honoured ones in the Gardens (of Bliss). 35