The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Someone has (needlessly) demanded to experience the torment (of God), 1 Upon the disbelievers – the punishment that none can avert. 2 From Allah, Owner of the ascending steps. 3 Whereby the angels ascend unto Him and also the spirit, On a Day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 But be patient (O Muhammad) with a patience fair to see. 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 Upon the day when heaven shall be as molten copper 8 And then the mountains shall become like unto wool dyed. 9 And no friend inquires after friend 10 Though within sight of one another. The sinner would like to ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his sons, 11 And his wife and his brother, 12 his kin who sheltered him, 13 And all those who are in the earth – then only if the redemption saves him! 14 By no means! For the raging flames of the fire 15 Plucking out (his being) right to the skull!- 16 and it will claim all those who turned their backs [on the true faith] and turned away [from the truth], 17 and who accumulated wealth without spending it for a good purpose. 18 ۞ Indeed man is created very impatient, greedy. 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 Except those who establish prayer. 22 and constant in their prayers. 23 They are those who assign a certain share of their property 24 for such as ask [for help] and such as are deprived [of what is good in life]; 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgment, 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 who are mindful of their chastity, 29 Save with their wives and those whom their right hands possess, for thus they are not blameworthy; 30 but any who seeks to go beyond that, it is indeed they who are the transgressors, 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 and those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who keep a guard on their prayer, 34 Such shall dwell in the Gardens (i.e. Paradise) honoured. 35