The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
A questioner asked about a Penalty to befall- 1 the unbelievers which none can prevent. 2 From Allah, the Lord of the ways of Ascent. 3 To whom the angels and the soul take a day to ascend, whose length is fifty thousand years. 4 (Muhammad), exercise patience with no complaints. 5 They see the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event): 6 but, We see it as near! 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the heaven shall become like unto dregs of oil. 8 and the mountains will be like tufts of wool, 9 And no familiar friend will ask a question of his friend 10 Though they will be put in sight of each other,- the sinner's desire will be: Would that he could redeem himself from the Penalty 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 By no means! Verily it is a Flame. 15 tearing away his skin! 16 and drag into it anyone who has turned away (from obeying God), 17 and amass [wealth] and thereupon withhold [it from their fellow-men]. 18 ۞ VERILY, man is born with a restless disposition. 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 And when good toucheth him he is begrudging. 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 Those who remain constant in their Salat (prayers); 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 24 for the needy and the deprived, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgment, 26 And those who fear the torment of their Lord, 27 for none is secure from the punishment of their Lord, 28 And those who guard their private parts, 29 Except with their wives and the bondwomen in their possession, for there is no reproach on them. 30 but whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 And those who keep their pledges and their covenant, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who are mindful of their moral obligations. 34 Those shall be in Gardens, high-honoured. 35