The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
There hath asked an asker for the torment about to befall. 1 Upon the disbelievers – the punishment that none can avert. 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 To Him ascend the angels and the Spirit in a day the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 But We see it [as] near. 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 will be like wool, 9 And no friend will ask after a friend, 10 although they shall be within sight of one another. The guilty one would fain ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his children, 11 His wife and his brother, 12 And his kin that harboured him 13 And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: 14 By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell!- 15 Flaying off the scalp-skin. 16 Calling: "[O Kafir (O disbeliever in Allah, His angels, His Book, His Messengers, Day of Resurrection and in Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments), O Mushrik (O polytheist, disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah)] (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from Faith) [picking and swallowing them up from that great gathering of mankind (on the Day of Resurrection) just as a bird picks up a food-grain from the earth with its beak and swallows it up] [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, Vol. 18, Page 289] 17 Who amasses and then hoards. 18 ۞ Indeed man is created very impatient, greedy. 19 Fretful when evil touches him; 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 except those that pray, 22 Who are at their prayer constant. 23 And those within whose wealth is a known right 24 for the impoverished nonrequester and the requester, 25 And those who testify to the Day of Requital. 26 and who stand in dread of their Sustainer's chastisement 27 Surely the chastisement of their Lord is (a thing) not to be felt secure of-- 28 who guard their carnal desires 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 whoso seeks after more than that, they are the transgressors), 31 and those who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges; 32 Who uphold their testimonies, 33 and who guard their prayers [from all worldly intent]. 34 They will live in gardens with honour. 35