The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
A caller supplicated about a punishment to fall on 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 [It is] from Allah, owner of the ways of ascent. 3 (Whereby) the angels and the Spirit ascend unto Him in a Day whereof the span is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore be patient, with a beautiful patience; 5 behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away 6 While we behold it nigh: 7 On the day when the heaven shall be as molten copper 8 and the mountains become like wool, 9 and [when] no friend will ask about his friend, 10 They will be seeing them; the guilty will wish if only he could redeem himself from the punishment of that day, by offering his sons. 11 his companion wife, his brother, 12 And his family who had stood by him, 13 And all those who are on the earth, to save himself. 14 No! Indeed, it is the Flame [of Hell], 15 stripping away his skin, 16 Inviting (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from the Right). 17 and amass [wealth] and thereupon withhold [it from their fellow-men]. 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 Fretful when evil touches him; 20 And refraining, when good reaches him. 21 But not so the worshippers 22 Those who are constant in their prayer 23 who, from their wealth 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 Judgment, 26 And those who are fearful of the chastisement of their Lord-- 27 Verily! The torment of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure, 28 And those who preserve their chastity 29 Save in regard to their spouses or those whom their right hands own; so verily they are not blameworthy 30 whereas such as seek to go beyond that [limit] are truly transgressors; 31 And those who fulfil their trusts and covenants, 32 and standby their witnessing, 33 And those who keep a guard on their prayer, 34 They will be in gardens, honored. 35