The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 To the disbelievers; of it there is no preventer. 2 [It is] from Allah, owner of the ways of ascent. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit mount up, in a day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 Indeed, they see it [as] distant, 6 while We think that it is near at hand. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the heaven shall become like unto dregs of oil. 8 and the mountains become like wool, 9 and [when] no friend will ask about 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 of all the kinsfolk who ever sheltered him, 13 and all those on earth. 14 By no means! Verily it is a Flame. 15 snatching away the scalp, 16 and it will claim all those who turned their backs [on the true faith] and turned away [from the truth], 17 And accumulated wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Indeed, man is born impatient: 19 Very nervous when touched by misfortune. 20 And niggardly when good touches him; 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 Who are constant at their worship 23 And those in whose wealth is a recognised right. 24 For him who begs and for him who is denied (good) 25 And those who accept the truth of the judgment day 26 And those who fear the torment of their Lord, 27 for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure; 28 And those who guard their private parts 29 Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 But whoever seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors - 31 (Those) who keep their trusts and their covenant, 32 and those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who protect their prayers. 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35