The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
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 To Him ascend the angels and the Spirit in a day the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Wherefore be thou patient with a becoming patience. 5 They think that it (the Day of Judgment) is far away. 6 But We see it [as] near. 7 The day the sky becomes like molten brass, 8 And the hills will be light as wool. 9 And friend shall not ask of 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 And his wife and his brother 12 and his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, all together, so that then it might deliver him. 14 By no means! For the raging flames of the fire 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 It will summon whoever turns his back and flees, 17 and amassed wealth and covetously hoarded it. 18 ۞ Indeed man is created very impatient, greedy. 19 When evil comes upon him he is impatient; 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 except those who are steadfast 22 who are constant in prayer; 23 And those in whose wealth exists a recognised right, 24 for the impoverished nonrequester and the requester, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgement, 26 And those who are fearful of the punishment of their Lord - 27 the punishment of their Lord is not something for them to feel secure of, 28 And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts from illegal sexual acts). 29 save from their wives and what their right hands own, then not being blameworthy 30 (but whoso seeks after more than that, they are the transgressors), 31 (Those) who keep their trusts and their covenant, 32 and those who stand by their testimony 33 and are steadfast in their prayers. 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35