The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 from God, the Lord of the Stairways. 3 Whereby the angels ascend unto Him and also the spirit, On a Day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 (Muhammad), exercise patience with no complaints. 5 They surely take it to be far away, 6 While we behold it nigh: 7 The day the sky becomes like molten brass, 8 and the mountains will become like tufts of wool, 9 And no familiar friend will ask a question of his friend 10 Though they shall be made to see one another [(i.e. on the Day of Resurrection), there will be none but see his father, children and relatives, but he will neither speak to them nor will ask them for any help)], - the Mujrim, (criminal, sinner, disbeliever, etc.) would desire to ransom himself from the punishment of that Day by his children. 11 And his wife and his brother 12 And his kin that harboured him 13 And whoever is on earth entirely [so] then it could save him. 14 But never. It is pure white flame 15 that will strip off the scalp. 16 It shall insistently summon him who turned his back and retreated, 17 Who amasses and then hoards. 18 ۞ Indeed, mankind was created anxious: 19 when evil visits him, impatient, 20 And when good touches him, withholding [of it], 21 Except those devoted to Salat (prayers) 22 Who persevere in devotion, 23 And those in whose wealth there is a fixed portion. 24 For those who beg, and for the needy who cannot even ask. 25 those who firmly believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's doom - 27 surely the chastisement of their Lord is a thing none can feel secure from – 28 and 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 whoso seeketh more than that, those are they who are transgressors; 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 And those who are in their testimonies upright 33 and who guard their prayers [from all worldly intent]. 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35