The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 Upon the disbelievers – the punishment that none can avert. 2 (A Penalty) from Allah, Lord of the Ways of Ascent. 3 The angels and Jibreel, ascend towards Him – the punishment will befall on a day which spans fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience: 5 Indeed, they see it [as] distant, 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the sky will become like molten brass, 8 And then the mountains shall become like unto wool dyed. 9 And no friend inquires after friend 10 as they are given sight of them. The sinner will wish that he might ransom himself from the chastisement of that day even by his sons, 11 his wife, his brother, 12 And his kin that sheltered him. 13 And all who are on the earth; so that this might deliver him. 14 But no! There is a raging blaze 15 That would skin the scalp. 16 Inviting (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from the Right). 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Surely man is greedy by nature. 19 Fretful when evil befalleth him 20 And when good touches him, withholding [of it], 21 But not so the worshippers 22 and continue at their prayers, 23 And those within whose wealth is a known right 24 for the impoverished nonrequester and the requester, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense 26 and fear the chastisement of their Lord – 27 for none is secure from the punishment of their Lord, 28 and those who guard their private parts, 29 except in regard to their spouses and those whom their right hands possess, for in regard to them they are not reproachable, 30 But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors;- 31 and those who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges; 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 and who guard their prayers [from all worldly intent]. 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35