The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 Upon the disbelievers – the punishment that none can avert. 2 From Allah, 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 patiently endure, in the best manner (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him). 5 Lo! they behold it afar off 6 But We see it [as] near. 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 and the mountains shall be like puffs of wool. 9 And no friend inquires after friend 10 although they shall be within sight of one another. The guilty one would fain ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his children, 11 his wife, his brother, 12 the kinsmen who gave him shelter, 13 And whoever is on earth entirely [so] then it could save him. 14 Nay, verily it is a furnace 15 tearing away his skin! 16 It shall claim him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 and amass [wealth] and thereupon withhold [it from their fellow-men]. 18 ۞ Verily man is impatient by nature: 19 Being greatly grieved when evil afflicts him 20 And, when good befalleth him, grudging; 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 who are steadfast in prayer; 23 who, from their wealth 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 fear the punishment of their Lord. 27 Surely the chastisement of their Lord is (a thing) not to be felt secure of-- 28 who guard their privates 29 save from their wives and what their right hands own, then not being blameworthy 30 but whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 And those who fulfil their trusts and covenants, 32 And those who are in their testimonies upright 33 and who guard their prayers [from all worldly intent]. 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35