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 The infidels, of which there is no averter. 2 from God, the Lord of the Stairways. 3 (Whereby) the angels and the Spirit ascend unto Him in a Day whereof the span is fifty thousand years. 4 So be thou patient with a sweet patience; 5 They see it [the Day of Judgement] to be far off, 6 but We see it near. 7 The Day that the sky will be like the boiling filth of oil, (or molten copper or silver or lead, etc.). 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 And no friend will ask after a friend, 10 though they may see each other. A sinner will wish that he could save himself from the torment of that day by sacrificing his children, 11 And his spouse and his brother 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 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 Taking away (burning completely) the head skin! 16 It will claim all such as turn their backs [on what is right,] and turn away [from the truth,] 17 who amassed and hoarded. 18 ۞ Surely man is created of a hasty temperament 19 Fretful when evil befalleth him 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he selfishly withholds it [from others]. 21 except those that pray, 22 Who persevere in devotion, 23 They are those who assign a certain share of their property 24 to those who ask [for help] and to the destitute; 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgment, 26 and who stand in dread of their Sustainer's chastisement 27 for none is secure from the punishment of their Lord, 28 and those who guard their private parts, 29 except from their spouses and those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock], for which they incur no blame -- 30 And whosoever seeketh beyond that, then it is those who are the trespassers 31 And those who keep their trusts and covenants; 32 and standby their witnessing, 33 and who guard their prayers [from all worldly intent]. 34 These will dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35