The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 No one can defend him against God, the Lord of the exalted positions. 3 To whom the angels and the soul take a day to ascend, whose length is fifty thousand years. 4 Wherefore be thou patient with a becoming patience. 5 They think that it (the Day of Judgment) is far away. 6 But We see it very near. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the sky will become like molten brass, 8 The mountains like the tufts of (carded) wool, 9 And friend shall not ask of friend 10 though they may see each other. A sinner will wish that he could save himself from the torment of that day by sacrificing his children, 11 And his spouse and his brother. 12 And his family who had stood by him, 13 And all those that are in the earth, (wishing) then (that) this might deliver him. 14 By no means! For the raging flames of the fire 15 That would skin the scalp. 16 and drag into it anyone who has turned away (from obeying God), 17 and who accumulated wealth without spending it for a good purpose. 18 ۞ VERILY, man is born with a restless disposition. 19 when misfortune touches him he starts lamenting, 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he selfishly withholds it [from others]. 21 Except those devoted to Salat (prayers) 22 who are constant in prayer; 23 In whose wealth a due share is included 24 For those who beg, and for the needy who cannot even ask. 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's doom - 27 Indeed the punishment of their Lord is not a thing to be unafraid of! 28 who guard their privates 29 Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, they are the transgressors. 31 And those who are to their trusts and promises attentive 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