The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 for the unbelievers, which none may avert, 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 So, (O Prophet), persevere with gracious perseverance. 5 Indeed, they see it [as] distant, 6 And We see it nigh. 7 The day the sky becomes like molten brass, 8 and the mountains will become like tufts of wool, 9 And no friend will ask after a friend, 10 though they shall be within sight of each other. The guilty one will gladly ransom himself from the torment of that Day by sacrificing his own children, 11 His wife and his brother, 12 his kin who sheltered him, 13 And whoever is on earth entirely [so] then it could save him. 14 No, in truth, it is a Furnace! 15 snatching away the scalp, 16 It will claim all such as turn their backs [on what is right,] and turn away [from the truth,] 17 who amassed and hoarded. 18 ۞ Indeed man is created very impatient, greedy. 19 Fretful when evil touches him; 20 And niggardly when good reaches him;- 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 those who give a due share of their wealth 24 for the beggar and the outcast, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense 26 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 27 Lo! the doom of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure - 28 And those who guard their private parts, 29 Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they are not to be blamed - 30 But he who seeks to go beyond this, these it is that go beyond the limits-- 31 who honor their trust and promises, 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 And those who are attentive at their worship. 34 They will live in gardens with honour. 35