The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 Upon the infidels -- which none would be able to repel -- 2 (A punishment) from Allah, the Owner of the Elevated Passages. 3 Whereby the angels ascend unto Him and also the spirit, On a Day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 but We see it to be very near. 7 On that Day the heavens shall become like molten brass, 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 And no friend inquires after friend 10 They will be seeing them; the guilty will wish if only he could redeem himself from the punishment of that day, by offering his sons. 11 And his spouse and his brother 12 And the nearest of his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: 14 No, in truth, it is a Furnace! 15 That would skin the scalp. 16 It shall insistently summon him who turned his back and retreated, 17 And masseth and then hoardeth. 18 ۞ Surely man was created fretful, 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 And niggardly when good reaches him;- 21 Except those who pray, 22 Who are at their prayer constant. 23 who, from their wealth is a known right 24 For the beggar and the destitute. 25 who acknowledge the Day of Judgment, 26 And those who are fearful of the chastisement of their Lord-- 27 Verily the torment of their Lord is not a thing to feel secure from. 28 And those who protect their private organs (from adultery). 29 Except with their wives and the (women slaves and 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 who testify to what they have witnessed, 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 Such will be the honoured ones in the Gardens (of Bliss). 35