The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 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 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 but, We see it as near! 7 The Day that the sky will be like molten brass, 8 and the mountains become like wool, 9 and [when] no friend will ask about his friend, 10 Though within sight of one another. The sinner would like to ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his sons, 11 And his wife and his brother, 12 And his kindred who sheltered him, 13 and all persons of the earth, if only he could thus save himself. 14 But no! There is a raging blaze 15 Taking away (burning completely) the head skin! 16 It invites he who turned his back [on truth] and went away [from obedience] 17 and amassed wealth and covetously hoarded it. 18 ۞ Indeed, man is born impatient: 19 If evil befalls him he is perturbed; 20 And niggardly when good befalls him 21 except those that pray, 22 and are constant in their Prayer; 23 And those in whose wealth is 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 Lo! the doom of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure - 28 And those who preserve their chastity 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 who honor their trust and promises, 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 And those who protect their prayers. 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35