The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 Upon the infidels -- which none would be able to repel -- 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 by which the angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in one Day the duration of which is fifty thousand years. 4 So, (O Prophet), persevere with gracious perseverance. 5 They surely take it to be far away, 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 On that Day the heavens shall become like molten brass, 8 and the mountains become like wool, 9 And no friend will ask after a friend, 10 (Though) they shall be made to see each other. The guilty one would fain redeem himself from the chastisement of that day by (sacrificing) his children, 11 And his spouse and his brother. 12 his kinsmen who gave him refuge (from hardship) 13 And all those who are on the earth, to save himself. 14 No, in truth, it is a Furnace! 15 Plucking out (his being) right to the skull!- 16 It will summon whoever turns his back and flees, 17 and who accumulated wealth without spending it for a good purpose. 18 ۞ VERILY, man is born with a restless disposition. 19 When evil toucheth him, he is bewailing. 20 And refraining, when good reaches him. 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 [and] who incessantly persevere in their prayer 23 In whose wealth a due share is included 24 for such as ask [for help] and such as are deprived [of what is good in life]; 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 and fear the chastisement of their Lord – 27 Surely no one can be secure from the punishment of his Lord, -- 28 And those who of their private parts are guards. 29 Except with their wives and the bondwomen in their possession, for there is no reproach on them. 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, they are the transgressors. 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35