The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 the unbelievers which none can prevent. 2 From Allah, the Lord of all pinnacles. 3 Whereby the angels ascend unto Him and also the spirit, On a Day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore, [O believers] behave with seemly patience. 5 Lo! they behold it afar off 6 And We see it nigh. 7 The day when the sky will be like molten silver. 8 The mountains like the tufts of (carded) wool, 9 and no bosom friend will enquire about any of his bosom friends 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 spouse and his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, altogether, so that it might save him. 14 By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell!- 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 and it shall call him who withdrew and turned his back 17 Who amasses and then hoards. 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 When evil comes upon him he is impatient; 20 And refraining, when good reaches him. 21 But not so the worshippers 22 who are constant in prayer; 23 And those in whose wealth is a recognised right. 24 For him who begs and for him who is denied (good) 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who are fearful of the punishment of their Lord - 27 for none may ever feel secure from the punishment of their Lord; 28 who guard their privates 29 Are free of blame, 30 But those who seek more than this will be transgressors; 31 and those who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges; 32 Who uphold their testimonies, 33 and who are constant in their prayers. 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35