The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 those who deny the truth. [Know, then, that] nothing can ward it off, 2 from God, the Lord of the Stairways. 3 The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: 4 Wherefore be thou patient with a becoming patience. 5 behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 The day when the sky will become as molten copper, 8 And then the mountains shall become like unto wool dyed. 9 And no familiar friend will ask a question of 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 And his wife and his brother 12 his kin who sheltered him, 13 And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: 14 But nay! Verily, all [that awaits him] is a raging flame, 15 Eager to roast; 16 It shall insistently summon him who turned his back and retreated, 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from spending it in the Cause of Allah). 18 ۞ VERILY, man is born with a restless disposition. 19 Being greatly grieved when evil afflicts him 20 And niggardly when good touches him; 21 But not so the worshippers 22 Who are at their prayer constant. 23 And those in whose wealth is a recognised right. 24 For him who begs and for him who is denied (good) 25 those who firmly believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 and go in fear of the chastisement of their Lord 27 Surely no one can be secure from the punishment of his Lord, -- 28 and who are mindful of their chastity, 29 Except in the case of their wives or those whom their right hands possess-- for these surely are not to be blamed, 30 but whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 (Those) who keep their trusts and their covenant, 32 and who stand firm whenever they bear witness; 33 and who guard their prayers [from all worldly intent]. 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35