The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can avert, 2 [It is] from Allah, owner 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, (O Prophet), persevere with gracious perseverance. 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 but We see it near at hand. 7 On the day when the heaven shall be as molten copper 8 and the mountains will become like tufts of wool, 9 and no bosom friend will enquire about any of his bosom friends 10 (Though) they shall be made to see each other. The guilty one would fain redeem himself from the chastisement of that day by (sacrificing) his children, 11 And his wife and his brother 12 and of all the kinsfolk who ever sheltered him, 13 And whoever is on earth entirely [so] then it could save him. 14 But never. It is pure white flame 15 A fire that melts the hide. 16 Calling: "[O Kafir (O disbeliever in Allah, His angels, His Book, His Messengers, Day of Resurrection and in Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments), O Mushrik (O polytheist, disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah)] (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from Faith) [picking and swallowing them up from that great gathering of mankind (on the Day of Resurrection) just as a bird picks up a food-grain from the earth with its beak and swallows it up] [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, Vol. 18, Page 289] 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from spending it in the Cause of Allah). 18 ۞ Surely man is created of a hasty temperament 19 Irritable (discontented) when evil touches him; 20 And, when good befalleth him, grudging; 21 save those that pray 22 Who persevere in devotion, 23 who, from their wealth is a known right 24 for those that ask and those that are dispossessed, 25 those who firmly believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord, -- 27 Surely no one can be secure from the punishment of his Lord, -- 28 and guard their private parts 29 save from their wives and what their right hands own, then not being blameworthy 30 (but whoso seeks after more than that, they are the transgressors), 31 And those who are faithful to their trusts and their covenant 32 And those who are firm upon their testimonies. 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 Those are highly honored in the Gardens. 35