The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 the unbelievers which none can prevent. 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 Therefore patiently endure, in the best manner (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him). 5 behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 The Day that the sky will be like the boiling filth of oil, (or molten copper or silver or lead, etc.). 8 and the mountains will be like tufts of wool, 9 And friend shall not ask of friend 10 as they are given sight of them. The sinner will wish that he might ransom himself from the chastisement of that day even by his sons, 11 And his wife and his brother 12 his kinsmen who gave him refuge (from hardship) 13 and all persons of the earth, if only he could thus save himself. 14 Never! That is indeed a blazing fire. 15 That would skin the scalp. 16 It calleth him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 And accumulated wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Verily, man (disbeliever) was created very impatient; 19 Fretful when evil befalleth him 20 And when good toucheth him he is begrudging. 21 except those that pray 22 Those who are constant in their prayer 23 And those within whose wealth is a known right 24 for the impoverished nonrequester and the requester, 25 and those who believe in the Day of Judgement 26 and go in fear of the chastisement of their Lord 27 (from their Lord's chastisement none feels secure) 28 and those who guard their private parts, 29 Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 So those who desire more than this – it is they who are the transgressors. 31 And those who are to their trusts and promises attentive 32 And those who are upright in their testimonies, 33 And those who of their prayer are observant. 34 They will live in gardens with honour. 35