The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
One demanding, demanded the chastisement which must befall 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 (A punishment) from Allah, the Owner of the Elevated Passages. 3 To Him ascend the angels and the Spirit in a day the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 So persevere with becoming patience. 5 Verily! They see it (the torment) afar off, 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 Upon the day when heaven shall be as molten copper 8 And the mountains will be like flakes of wool, 9 And no familiar friend will ask a question of his friend 10 though they shall be within sight of each other. The guilty one will gladly ransom himself from the torment of that Day by sacrificing his own children, 11 his wife, his brother, 12 And his nearest kindred who shelter him 13 And all those who are in the earth – then only if the redemption saves him! 14 By no means! Surely it is a flaming fire 15 That would skin the scalp. 16 and it shall call him who withdrew and turned his back 17 and amassed (riches) and hoarded. 18 ۞ Surely man is created of a hasty temperament 19 Very nervous when touched by misfortune. 20 And niggardly when good reaches him;- 21 Except those who establish prayer. 22 [and] who incessantly persevere in their prayer 23 those who give a due share of their wealth 24 to those who ask [for help] and to the destitute; 25 those who firmly believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 and who stand in dread of their Sustainer's chastisement 27 surely the chastisement of their Lord is a thing none can feel secure from – 28 and those who guard their private parts, 29 Except with their wives and the bondwomen in their possession, for there is no reproach on them. 30 And whosoever seeketh beyond that, then it is those who are the trespassers 31 And those who keep their trusts and covenants; 32 and those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who are attentive at their worship. 34 They will live in gardens with honour. 35