The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
A supplicant asked for a punishment bound to happen 1 (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 Whereby the angels ascend unto Him and also the spirit, On a Day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 So, (O Prophet), persevere with gracious perseverance. 5 They deem it to be remote. 6 But We see it [as] near. 7 Upon the day when heaven shall be as molten copper 8 And the hills will be light as wool. 9 And no friend will ask [anything of] a friend, 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 And his spouse and his brother 12 his kinsmen who gave him refuge (from hardship) 13 And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: 14 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 calling him who drew back and turned away, 17 And hoarded (wealth) and withheld it. 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 Irritable (discontented) when evil touches him; 20 And when good touches him, withholding [of it], 21 Except those devoted to Salat (prayers) 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 for the needy and the deprived, 25 those who firmly believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who fear the torment of their Lord, 27 for none is secure from the punishment of their Lord, 28 And those who guard their chastity, 29 save from their wives and what their right hands own, then not being blameworthy 30 but whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 and who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges: 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 Such will be the honoured ones in the Gardens (of Bliss). 35