The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can repel, 2 (A punishment) from Allah, the Owner of the Elevated Passages. 3 On that Day (of Judgment), long as fifty thousand years, the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him. 4 Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 But We see it very near. 7 The day the sky becomes like molten brass, 8 And the mountains shall be as tufts of wool 9 And no familiar friend will ask a question of his 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 his kin that harboured him 13 and of whoever [else] lives on earth, all of them - so that he could but save himself. 14 But no! There is a raging blaze 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 Inviting (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from the Right). 17 And masseth and then hoardeth. 18 ۞ Verily man is impatient by nature: 19 when evil visits him, impatient, 20 And when good toucheth him he is begrudging. 21 Save worshippers. 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 24 For the petitioner and the deprived - 25 And those who hold to the truth of the Day of Judgment; 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord. 27 for none may ever feel secure from the punishment of their Lord; 28 who guard their privates 29 except from their wives and what their right hands own, for these they are not blameworthy. 30 but any who seeks to go beyond that, it is indeed they who are the transgressors, 31 And those who are faithful to their trusts and their covenant 32 And those who are upright in their testimonies, 33 And those who protect their prayers. 34 Those shall be in Gardens, high-honoured. 35