The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can avert, 2 From Allah, the Lord of the ways of ascent. 3 The angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years, 4 So be thou patient with a sweet patience; 5 Indeed, they see it [as] distant, 6 but, We see it as near! 7 The day the sky becomes like molten brass, 8 And then the mountains shall become like unto wool dyed. 9 and [when] no friend will ask about his friend, 10 Though they will be given sight of them. The guilty man will long to be able to ransom himself from the punishment of that day at the price of his children 11 His wife and his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 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 will claim all such as turn their backs [on what is right,] and turn away [from the truth,] 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 When evil comes upon him he is impatient; 20 And refraining, when good reaches him. 21 Save worshippers. 22 who are constant in prayer; 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 For the beggar who asks, and for the unlucky who has lost his property and wealth, (and his means of living has been straitened); 25 And those who believe the Day of Judgement to be true. 26 And those who fear the torment of their Lord, 27 (from their Lord's chastisement none feels secure) 28 And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts from illegal sexual acts). 29 Except in the case of their wives or those whom their right hands possess-- for these surely are not to be blamed, 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, they are the transgressors. 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 And those who are in their testimonies upright 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 Such will be the honoured ones in the Gardens (of Bliss). 35