The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 [It is] from Allah, owner of the ways of ascent. 3 To whom the angels and the soul take a day to ascend, whose length is fifty thousand years. 4 So be thou patient with a sweet patience; 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 but We see it to be very near. 7 The Day that the sky will be like molten brass, 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 And no friend will ask concerning his friend. 10 although they shall be within sight of one another. The guilty one would fain ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his children, 11 his companion (wife), his brother, 12 And the nearest of his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, altogether, so that it might save him. 14 No, in truth, it is a Furnace! 15 stripping away his skin, 16 It will summon whoever turns his back and flees, 17 And accumulated wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Lo! man was created anxious, 19 Fretful when evil befalleth him 20 And when good touches him, withholding [of it], 21 except those that pray, 22 who are constant in prayer; 23 In whose wealth a due share is included 24 For him who begs and for him who is denied (good) 25 and those who believe in the Day of Judgement 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's torment 27 surely the chastisement of their Lord is a thing none can feel secure from – 28 who guard their carnal desires 29 except from their wives and what their right hands own, for these they are not blameworthy. 30 (but whoso seeks after more than that, they are the transgressors), 31 And those who are faithful to their trusts and their covenant 32 and perform their witnessings, 33 and who observe their prayers. 34 Those shall dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35