The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 the unbelievers which none can prevent. 2 From Allah, the Lord 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 (Muhammad), exercise patience with no complaints. 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 while We think that it is near at hand. 7 The day when the sky will become as molten copper, 8 and the mountains become like wool, 9 And no friend will ask of a 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 spouse and his brother. 12 And the family in which he was. 13 And all who are on the earth; so that this might deliver him. 14 Never! That is indeed a blazing fire. 15 Plucking out (his being) right to the skull!- 16 and drag into it anyone who has turned away (from obeying God), 17 And masseth and then hoardeth. 18 ۞ Truly man was created very impatient;- 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 If good comes to him he holds back his hand, 21 Except those who pray, 22 who are steadfast in prayer; 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 24 For the petitioner and the deprived - 25 who acknowledge the Day of Judgment, 26 and go in fear of 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 Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 but those who go beyond that limit are transgressors; 31 (Those) who keep their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who are in their testimonies upright 33 And those who keep a guard on their prayer, 34 Such will be the honoured ones in the Gardens (of Bliss). 35