The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
A beseecher besought the visitation of chastisement, 1 To the disbelievers; of it there is no preventer. 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: 4 Therefore be patient, with a beautiful patience; 5 They deem it to be remote. 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the heaven shall become like unto dregs of oil. 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 And no friend will ask after a friend, 10 Though they shall be made to see one another [(i.e. on the Day of Resurrection), there will be none but see his father, children and relatives, but he will neither speak to them nor will ask them for any help)], - the Mujrim, (criminal, sinner, disbeliever, etc.) would desire to ransom himself from the punishment of that Day by his children. 11 His wife and his brother, 12 And his kin that sheltered him. 13 and all persons of the earth, if only he could thus save himself. 14 By no means! Surely it is a flaming fire 15 stripping away his skin, 16 calling him who drew back and turned away, 17 And accumulated wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Truly man was created very impatient;- 19 When they are afflicted, they complain, 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he selfishly withholds it [from others]. 21 Except those devoted to Salat (prayers) 22 Who persevere in devotion, 23 And those in whose wealth there is a known right, 24 For the beggar who asks, and for the unlucky who has lost his property and wealth, (and his means of living has been straitened); 25 and those who believe in the Day of Judgement 26 And those who are fearful of the chastisement 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 in the case of their wives or those whom their right hands possess-- for these surely are not to be blamed, 30 But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors;- 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 And those who are in their testimonies upright 33 And those who are attentive at their worship. 34 Such shall dwell in the Gardens (i.e. Paradise) honoured. 35