The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 (A Penalty) from Allah, Lord of the Ways of Ascent. 3 Whereby the angels ascend unto Him and also the spirit, On a Day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 (Muhammad), exercise patience with no complaints. 5 Verily they behold it afar off. 6 but We see it near. 7 On the day when the heaven shall be as molten copper 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 And no friend will ask after a friend, 10 They will be seeing them; the guilty will wish if only he could redeem himself from the punishment of that day, by offering his sons. 11 His wife and his brother, 12 And his kindred who sheltered him, 13 and all those on earth. 14 By no means! Verily it is a Flame. 15 snatching away the scalp, 16 It shall insistently summon him who turned his back and retreated, 17 and amass [wealth] and thereupon withhold [it from their fellow-men]. 18 ۞ Indeed, mankind was created anxious: 19 Very nervous when touched by misfortune. 20 but when good comes upon him, he is grudging 21 But not so the worshippers 22 Who are constant at their worship 23 And those in whose riches is a known right. 24 to those who ask [for help] and to the destitute; 25 And those who hold to the truth of the Day of Judgment; 26 And those who are fearful of the chastisement of their Lord-- 27 surely the chastisement of their Lord is a thing none can feel secure from – 28 who guard their carnal desires 29 Except in the case of their wives or those whom their right hands possess-- for these surely are not to be blamed, 30 But whoso seeketh more than that, those are they who are transgressors; 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 And those who protect their prayers. 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35