The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 Upon the disbelievers – the punishment that none can avert. 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, 3 by which the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him in one Day which will last for fifty thousand years. 4 So, (O Prophet), persevere with gracious perseverance. 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 while We think that it is near at hand. 7 On the Day the sky will be like murky oil, 8 and the mountains shall be like puffs of wool. 9 And no friend inquires after 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 and of all the kinsfolk who ever sheltered him, 13 And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: 14 By no means! Verily it is a Flame. 15 Plucking out (his being) right to the skull!- 16 and it will claim all those who turned their backs [on the true faith] and turned away [from the truth], 17 Who amasses and then hoards. 18 ۞ Verily man is impatient by nature: 19 Very nervous when touched by misfortune. 20 but when good comes upon him, he is grudging 21 save those that pray 22 Those who are regular in their prayers. 23 And those in whose wealth is a recognised right. 24 For the needy and those dispossessed, 25 who acknowledge the Day of Judgment, 26 and go in fear of the punishment of their Lord, 27 for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure; 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 whosoever seeks beyond that, then it is those who are trespassers. 31 (Those) who keep their trusts and their covenant, 32 and standby their witnessing, 33 And those who are attentive at their worship. 34 all these shall live honourably in the Gardens. 35