The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- 2 (A punishment) from Allah, the Owner of the Elevated Passages. 3 by which the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him in one Day which will last for fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore be patient, with a beautiful patience; 5 Indeed, they see it [as] distant, 6 while We think that it is near at hand. 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 And the mountains will be like flakes of wool, 9 even intimate friends will not inquire about their friends, 10 though they shall be within sight of each other. The guilty one will gladly ransom himself from the torment of that Day by sacrificing his own children, 11 his wife, his brother, 12 the kinsmen who gave him shelter, 13 and of whoever [else] lives on earth, all of them - so that he could but save himself. 14 By no means! It will be the fierce flame 15 A fire that melts the hide. 16 It calls out to him who reverted and turned away. 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from spending it in the Cause of Allah). 18 ۞ Surely man was created fretful, 19 Fretful when evil touches him; 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he grows niggardly. 21 Not so, however, those who consciously turn towards God in prayer. 22 Who persevere in devotion, 23 And in whose wealth there is a right acknowledged 24 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); 25 And those who hold to the truth of 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 privates 29 save from their wives and what their right hands own, then not being blameworthy 30 whereas such as seek to go beyond that [limit] are truly transgressors; 31 And those who respect their trusts and covenants; 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies. 33 And those who of their prayer are observant. 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35