The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 From Allah, the Lord of the ways of ascent. 3 by which the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him in one Day which will last for fifty thousand years. 4 So be thou patient with a sweet patience; 5 behold, they see it as if far off; 6 while We think that it is near at hand. 7 On that Day the heaven shall become like molten copper, 8 and the mountains shall be like puffs of wool. 9 And not a friend shall ask a friend, 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 his companion wife, his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all that are in the earth, so that it might save him. 14 Nay, verily it is a furnace 15 that will strip off the scalp. 16 It calls out to him who reverted and turned away. 17 and amassed (riches) and hoarded. 18 ۞ Surely man was created fretful, 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 Except the observers of prayer - 22 Those who are constant at their prayer 23 And those within whose wealth is a known right 24 For the needy and those dispossessed, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgment, 26 and are fearful of the punishment of their Lord; 27 Verily the torment of their Lord is not a thing to feel secure from. 28 those who preserve their chastity 29 Save in regard to their spouses or those whom their right hands own; so verily they are not blameworthy 30 So those who desire more than this – it is they who are the transgressors. 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 and who take due care of their Prayer: 34 They will be honoured in the Gardens of Bliss. 35