The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 those who deny the truth. [Know, then, that] nothing can ward it off, 2 (A punishment) from Allah, the Owner of the Elevated Passages. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit mount up, in a day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 (Muhammad), exercise patience with no complaints. 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 Upon the day when heaven shall be as molten copper 8 And the mountains will be like flakes of wool, 9 And no friend will ask concerning his friend. 10 as they are given sight of them. The sinner will wish that he might ransom himself from the chastisement of that day even by his sons, 11 His wife and his brother, 12 And the nearest of his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all that are in the earth, if then it might deliver him. 14 By no means! Surely it is a flaming fire 15 Flaying off the scalp-skin. 16 and it will claim all those who turned their backs [on the true faith] and turned away [from the truth], 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Indeed man is created very impatient, greedy. 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 except those who are steadfast 22 who are steadfast in prayer; 23 and those in whose wealth there is a known right 24 For those who beg, and for the needy who cannot even ask. 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense 26 And those who are fearful of the punishment of their Lord - 27 Surely the chastisement of their Lord is (a thing) not to be felt secure of-- 28 And those who protect their private organs (from adultery). 29 Save with their wives and those whom their right hands possess, for thus they are not blameworthy; 30 But whoso seeketh more than that, those are they who are transgressors; 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 and perform their witnessings, 33 And those who are mindful of their moral obligations. 34 all these shall live honourably in the Gardens. 35