The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
A questioner questioned concerning the doom about to fall 1 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, 3 (Whereby) the angels and the Spirit ascend unto Him in a Day whereof the span is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). 5 Lo! they behold it afar off 6 but We see it is nigh. 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 about his 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 And his wife and his brother 12 And his nearest kindred who shelter him 13 And all that are in the earth, so that it might save him. 14 By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell!- 15 Taking away (burning completely) the head skin! 16 and it will claim all those who turned their backs [on the true faith] and turned away [from the truth], 17 and amass [wealth] and thereupon withhold [it from their fellow-men]. 18 ۞ Verily man is formed impatient. 19 when misfortune touches him he starts lamenting, 20 And refraining, when good reaches him. 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 Those who remain constant in their Salat (prayers); 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 24 to those who ask [for help] and to the destitute; 25 And those who accept the truth of the judgment day 26 and fear the chastisement of their Lord – 27 Lo! the doom of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure - 28 And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts from illegal sexual acts). 29 except in regard to their spouses and those whom their right hands possess, for in regard to them they are not reproachable, 30 So those who desire more than this – it is they who are the transgressors. 31 (Those) who keep their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who are in their testimonies upright 33 and who take due care of their Prayer: 34 They will be in gardens, honored. 35