The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 the unbelievers which none can prevent. 2 [since it will come] from God, unto whom there are many ways of ascent: 3 To Him ascend the angels and the Spirit in a day the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore, [O believers] behave with seemly patience. 5 Indeed, they see it [as] distant, 6 Whereas We see it impending. 7 The Day that the sky will be like the boiling filth of oil, (or molten copper or silver or lead, etc.). 8 and the mountains shall be as plucked wool-tufts, 9 And no familiar friend will ask a question of his friend 10 as they are given sight of them. The sinner will wish that he might ransom himself from the chastisement of that day even by his sons, 11 And his wife and his brother 12 And his kindred who sheltered him, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, all together, so that then it might deliver him. 14 Never! That is indeed a blazing fire. 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 It invites he who turned his back [on truth] and went away [from obedience] 17 and amassed wealth and covetously hoarded it. 18 ۞ Surely man was created fretful, 19 Fretful when evil befalleth him 20 And, when good befalleth him, grudging; 21 Save worshippers. 22 who are steadfast in prayer; 23 And those in whose wealth there is a fixed portion. 24 for those that ask and those that are dispossessed, 25 and those who believe in the Day of Judgement 26 and go in fear of the punishment of their Lord, 27 Indeed, the punishment of their Lord is not that from which one is safe - 28 and those who guard their private parts, 29 save from their wives and what their right hands own, then not being blameworthy 30 (but whoso seeks after more than that, they are the transgressors), 31 And those who keep their pledges and their covenant, 32 And those who are in their testimonies upright 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 It is these who will be honoured in Gardens. 35