The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 the unbelievers which none can prevent. 2 From Allah, the Lord of the ways of Ascent. 3 To Him ascend the angels and the Spirit in a day the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 But be patient (O Muhammad) with a patience fair to see. 5 They surely take it to be far away, 6 but We see it to be very near. 7 It shall befall on a Day whereon the sky will become like molten brass, 8 and the mountains will become like tufts of wool, 9 and no friend will ask about his friend, 10 though they shall be within sight of each other. The guilty one will gladly ransom himself from the torment of that Day by sacrificing his own children, 11 his companion (wife), his brother, 12 and of all the kinsfolk who ever sheltered him, 13 and all those on earth. 14 By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell!- 15 Eager to roast; 16 It will summon whoever turns his back and flees, 17 and amassed wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Truly man was created very impatient;- 19 bewailing when evil befalls him, 20 And when good toucheth him he is begrudging. 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 Those who are constant at their prayer 23 And in whose wealth there is a right acknowledged 24 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); 25 and those who believe in the Day of Judgement 26 who are afraid of the torment of their Lord, 27 Surely no one can be secure from the punishment of his Lord, -- 28 And those who guard their private parts, 29 except from their wives and slave girls, in which case they are not to be blamed, 30 And whosoever seeketh beyond that, then it is those who are the trespassers 31 And those who protect the property entrusted to them, and their agreements. 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who are attentive at their worship. 34 These will dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35