The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 To the disbelievers; of it there is no preventer. 2 (A Penalty) from Allah, Lord of the Ways of Ascent. 3 by which the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him in one Day which will last for fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). 5 behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away 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 no friend will ask of a friend, 10 though they may be in one another's sight: [for,] everyone who was lost in sin will on that Day but desire to ransom himself from suffering at the price of his own children, 11 And his spouse and his brother. 12 And his kin that sheltered him. 13 and whosoever is in the earth, altogether, so that it might save him. 14 By no means! For the raging flames of the fire 15 That would skin the scalp. 16 It invites he who turned his back [on truth] and went away [from obedience] 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from use)! 18 ۞ Indeed man is created very impatient, greedy. 19 when evil visits him, impatient, 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 save those that pray 22 and are constant in their Prayer; 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); 25 who confirm the Day of Doom 26 And those who fear the punishment of their Lord, -- 27 Surely no one can be secure from the punishment of his Lord, -- 28 And those who guard their chastity, 29 except from their spouses and those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock], for which they incur no blame -- 30 but whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 And those who keep their pledges and their covenant, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 and who observe their prayers. 34 Those are highly honored in the Gardens. 35