The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
A beseecher besought the visitation of chastisement, 1 Upon the infidels -- which none would be able to repel -- 2 from God, the Lord of the Stairways. 3 The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: 4 So persevere with becoming patience. 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 While we behold it nigh: 7 Upon the day when heaven shall be as molten copper 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 no loyal friend shall question loyal friend, 10 Though within sight of one another. The sinner would like to ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his sons, 11 and his spouse and his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 And all those who are on the earth, to save himself. 14 By no means! It will be the fierce flame 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 It calleth him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Surely man is created of a hasty temperament 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 Except those who establish prayer. 22 and are constant in their Prayer; 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 For those who beg, and for the needy who cannot even ask. 25 who confirm the Day of Doom 26 And those who are fearful of the punishment of their Lord - 27 Verily! The torment of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure, 28 who guard their privates 29 [not giving way to their desires] with any but their spouses - that is, those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock]: for then, behold, they are free of all blame, 30 And whosoever seeketh beyond that, then it is those who are the trespassers 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 And those who are firm upon their testimonies. 33 And those who protect their prayers. 34 Those shall be in Gardens, high-honoured. 35