The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Someone has (needlessly) demanded to experience the torment (of God), 1 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- 2 [since it will come] from God, unto whom there are many ways of ascent: 3 all the angels and all the inspiration [ever granted to man] ascend unto Him [daily,] in a day the length whereof is [like] fifty thousand years… 4 So persevere with becoming patience. 5 Verily! They see it (the torment) afar off, 6 while We think that it is near at hand. 7 On the day when the heaven shall be as molten copper 8 And the mountains will be like flakes of wool, 9 and no bosom friend will enquire about any of his bosom friends 10 They will be shown each other. The criminal will wish that he could be ransomed from the punishment of that Day by his children 11 his wife, his brother, 12 And his kin that sheltered him. 13 And all those who are on the earth, to save himself. 14 By no means! Verily it is a Flame. 15 Plucking out (his being) right to the skull!- 16 It calleth him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 and who accumulated wealth without spending it for a good purpose. 18 ۞ Indeed, man is born impatient: 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 And when good touches him, withholding [of it], 21 Not so, however, those who consciously turn towards God in prayer. 22 and continue at their prayers, 23 And those within whose wealth is a known right 24 For him who begs and for him who is denied (good) 25 who confirm the Day of Reckoning 26 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 27 (from their Lord's chastisement none feels 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 But he who seeks to go beyond this, these it is that go beyond the limits-- 31 And those who respect their trusts and covenants; 32 and perform their witnessings, 33 And those who of their prayer are observant. 34 It is these who will be honoured in Gardens. 35