The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 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 behold it afar off. 6 Whereas We see it impending. 7 On that Day the heavens shall become like molten brass, 8 And then the mountains shall become like unto wool dyed. 9 And not a friend shall ask a 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 his companion wife, his brother, 12 and of all the kinsfolk who ever sheltered him, 13 and all the people of the earth, if that could deliver him. 14 By no means! Surely it is a flaming fire 15 Dragging by the head, 16 It shall call him who turneth back and backslideth. 17 Who amasses and then hoards. 18 ۞ Verily man is impatient by nature: 19 when evil visits him, impatient, 20 And niggardly when good befalls him 21 save those that pray 22 [and] who incessantly persevere in their prayer 23 And those in whose riches is a known right. 24 to those who ask [for help] and to the destitute; 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgment, 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord, -- 27 Verily! The torment of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure, 28 And those who guard their sex except from their wives and women slaves of old 29 Except in the case of their wives or those whom their right hands possess-- for these surely are not to be blamed, 30 but whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 And those who protect the property entrusted to them, and their agreements. 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 Those shall dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35