The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 To the disbelievers; of it there is no preventer. 2 From Allah, Owner of the ascending steps. 3 by which the angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in one Day the duration of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Wherefore be thou patient with a becoming patience. 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the heaven shall become like unto dregs of oil. 8 and the mountains become like wool, 9 and no bosom friend will enquire about any of his bosom friends 10 though they may see each other. A sinner will wish that he could save himself from the torment of that day by sacrificing his children, 11 his wife, his brother, 12 his kinsmen who gave him refuge (from hardship) 13 And all who are on the earth; so that this might deliver him. 14 Never! That is indeed a blazing fire. 15 Dragging by the head, 16 Calling: "[O Kafir (O disbeliever in Allah, His angels, His Book, His Messengers, Day of Resurrection and in Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments), O Mushrik (O polytheist, disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah)] (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from Faith) [picking and swallowing them up from that great gathering of mankind (on the Day of Resurrection) just as a bird picks up a food-grain from the earth with its beak and swallows it up] [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, Vol. 18, Page 289] 17 And amasses (wealth) then shuts it up. 18 ۞ Verily man is impatient by nature: 19 bewailing when evil befalls him, 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he selfishly withholds it [from others]. 21 Save worshippers. 22 who are constant in prayer; 23 In whose wealth a due share is included 24 for the needy and the deprived, 25 who confirm the Day of Reckoning 26 and fear the chastisement of their Lord – 27 for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure; 28 who guard their privates 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 those who trespass beyond this are transgressors;- 31 (Those) who keep their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 and who are constant in their prayers. 34 These will dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35