The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 Upon the disbelievers – the punishment that 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 Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). 5 Indeed, they see it [as] distant, 6 but We see it near. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the heaven shall become like unto dregs of oil. 8 The mountains like the tufts of (carded) wool, 9 And no friend will ask [anything of] a friend, 10 though they may be in one another's sight: [for,] everyone who was lost in sin will on that Day but desire to ransom himself from suffering at the price of his own children, 11 his wife, his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 And all those who are in the earth – then only if the redemption saves him! 14 By no means! Verily, it will be the Fire of Hell! 15 A fire that melts the hide. 16 It calleth him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 And amasses (wealth) then shuts it up. 18 ۞ Surely man was created fretful, 19 Being greatly grieved when evil afflicts him 20 And niggardly when good befalls him 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 Who are at their prayer constant. 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 24 for the beggar and the outcast, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgement, 26 and fear the chastisement of their Lord – 27 for none may ever feel 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 any who seeks to go beyond that, it is indeed they who are the transgressors, 31 And those who of their trusts and their covenant are keepers. 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who protect their prayers. 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35