The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A beseecher besought the visitation of chastisement, 1 The unbelievers-- there is none to avert it-- 2 [since it will come] from God, unto whom there are many ways of ascent: 3 To whom the angels and the soul take a day to ascend, whose length is fifty thousand years. 4 So be patient with gracious patience. 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the heaven shall become like unto dregs of oil. 8 and the mountains shall be as plucked wool-tufts, 9 And friend shall not ask of 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 And his wife and his brother 12 and of all the kinsfolk who ever sheltered him, 13 And all that are in the earth, if then it might deliver him. 14 Nay, verily it is a furnace 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 Inviting (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from the Right). 17 Who amasses and then hoards. 18 ۞ Indeed, man is born impatient: 19 When evil comes upon him he is impatient; 20 And niggardly when good touches him; 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 [and] who incessantly persevere in their prayer 23 And those in whose wealth there is a known right, 24 for the impoverished nonrequester and the requester, 25 And those who accept the truth of the judgment day 26 And those who are fearful of the punishment of their Lord - 27 Surely no one can be secure from the punishment of his Lord, -- 28 And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts from illegal sexual acts). 29 Save with their wives and those whom their right hands possess, for thus they are not blameworthy; 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, they are the transgressors. 31 And those who respect their trusts and covenants; 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 And those who guard (the sacredness) of their worship;- 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35