The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 for the unbelievers, which none may avert, 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 3 The angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years, 4 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 They see it [the Day of Judgement] to be far off, 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the sky will become like molten brass, 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 and no bosom friend will enquire about any of his bosom friends 10 They will be shown each other. The criminal will wish that he could be ransomed from the punishment of that Day by his children 11 His wife and his brother, 12 And his kindred who sheltered him, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, altogether, so that it might save him. 14 No! Indeed, it is the Flame [of Hell], 15 snatching away the scalp, 16 It shall insistently summon him who turned his back and retreated, 17 and amassed wealth and covetously hoarded it. 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 those devoted to Prayer;- 22 [and] who incessantly persevere in their prayer 23 And those in whose wealth there is a known right, 24 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); 25 And those who testify to the Day of Requital. 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's doom - 27 Indeed, the punishment of their Lord is not that from which one is safe - 28 And those who preserve their chastity 29 except from their spouses and those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock], for which they incur no blame -- 30 And whosoever seeketh beyond that, then it is those who are the trespassers 31 And those who keep their pledges and their covenant, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 and who are constant in their prayers. 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35