The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
A supplicant asked for a punishment bound to happen 1 those who deny the truth. [Know, then, that] nothing can ward it off, 2 [since it will come] from God, unto whom there are many ways of ascent: 3 To whom the angels and the soul take a day to ascend, whose length is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore be patient, with a beautiful patience; 5 behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 The day the sky becomes like molten brass, 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 and [when] no friend will ask about his friend, 10 although they shall be within sight of one another. The guilty one would fain ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his children, 11 his companion wife, his brother, 12 And his kindred who sheltered him, 13 and all those on earth. 14 But nay! Verily, all [that awaits him] is a raging flame, 15 Flaying off the scalp-skin. 16 and it will claim all those who turned their backs [on the true faith] and turned away [from the truth], 17 and amassed wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Indeed, mankind was created anxious: 19 Irritable (discontented) when evil touches him; 20 when good visits him, grudging, 21 except those who are steadfast 22 Those who remain constant in their Salat (prayers); 23 And those in whose wealth there is a fixed portion. 24 For the beggar and the destitute; 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 and are fearful of the punishment of their Lord; 27 Verily the torment of their Lord is not a thing to feel secure from. 28 and who are mindful of their chastity, 29 Except in the case of their wives or those whom their right hands possess-- for these surely are not to be blamed, 30 So those who desire more than this – it is they who are the transgressors. 31 who honor their trust and promises, 32 And those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 They will be in gardens, honored. 35