The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
A caller supplicated about a punishment to fall on 1 which will inevitably seize the disbelievers. 2 [since it will come] from God, unto whom there are many ways of ascent: 3 The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: 4 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 The day when the sky will be like molten silver. 8 and the mountains will be like tufts of wool, 9 no loyal friend shall question loyal 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 kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all who are on the earth; so that this might deliver him. 14 By no means! Surely it is a flaming fire 15 Plucking out (his being) right to the skull!- 16 It shall insistently summon him who turned his back and retreated, 17 who amassed and hoarded. 18 ۞ VERILY, man is born with a restless disposition. 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 And when good toucheth him he is begrudging. 21 Except the observers of prayer - 22 Who are constant at their worship 23 And those in whose wealth there is a known right, 24 for those that ask and those that are dispossessed, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgment, 26 and go in fear of the punishment of their Lord, 27 Surely the chastisement of their Lord is (a thing) not to be felt secure of-- 28 and who are mindful of their chastity, 29 except from their spouses and those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock], for which they incur no blame -- 30 But whoso seeketh more than that, those are they who are transgressors; 31 And those who are faithful to their trusts and their covenant 32 who testify to what they have witnessed, 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 Those are highly honored in the Gardens. 35