The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 To whom the angels and the soul take a day to ascend, whose length is fifty thousand years. 4 So be patient with gracious patience. 5 behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away 6 While we behold it nigh: 7 The day the sky becomes like molten brass, 8 And the mountains shall be as tufts of wool 9 And no friend will ask of a 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 spouse and his brother. 12 and his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 and all those on earth. 14 But nay! Verily, all [that awaits him] is a raging flame, 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 and drag into it anyone who has turned away (from obeying God), 17 And accumulated wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Verily, man (disbeliever) was created very impatient; 19 Irritable (discontented) when evil touches him; 20 when good visits him, grudging, 21 except those that pray 22 Those who remain constant in their Salat (prayers); 23 And in whose wealth there is a right acknowledged 24 to those who ask [for help] and to the destitute; 25 And those who testify to the Day of Requital. 26 and go in fear of the chastisement of their Lord 27 For their Lord's displeasure is the opposite of Peace and Tranquillity;- 28 who guard their privates 29 except from their wives and slave girls, in which case they are not to be blamed, 30 But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors;- 31 And those who keep their trusts and covenants; 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who keep a guard on their prayer, 34 all these shall live honourably in the Gardens. 35