The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 The unbelievers-- there is none to avert it-- 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 all the angels and all the inspiration [ever granted to man] ascend unto Him [daily,] in a day the length whereof is [like] fifty thousand years… 4 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 but We see it near. 7 On the day when the heavens become like molten metal. 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 and [when] no friend will ask about his friend, 10 though they may see each other. A sinner will wish that he could save himself from the torment of that day by sacrificing his children, 11 And his wife and his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all those that are in the earth, (wishing) then (that) this might deliver him. 14 Nay, verily it is a furnace 15 Dragging by the head, 16 Calling: "[O Kafir (O disbeliever in Allah, His angels, His Book, His Messengers, Day of Resurrection and in Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments), O Mushrik (O polytheist, disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah)] (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from Faith) [picking and swallowing them up from that great gathering of mankind (on the Day of Resurrection) just as a bird picks up a food-grain from the earth with its beak and swallows it up] [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, Vol. 18, Page 289] 17 Who amasses and then hoards. 18 ۞ Verily man is formed impatient. 19 Very nervous when touched by misfortune. 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 Save worshippers. 22 Those who are regular in their prayers. 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 24 for those that ask and those that are dispossessed, 25 those who firmly believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's doom - 27 (from their Lord's chastisement none feels secure) 28 And those who protect their private organs (from adultery). 29 [not giving way to their desires] with any but their spouses - that is, those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock]: for then, behold, they are free of all blame, 30 but those who go beyond that limit are transgressors; 31 And those who are to their trusts and promises attentive 32 and perform their witnessings, 33 And those who guard (the sacredness) of their worship;- 34 Such will be the honoured ones in the Gardens (of Bliss). 35