The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 the unbelievers which none can prevent. 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 (Whereby) the angels and the Spirit ascend unto Him in a Day whereof the span is fifty thousand years. 4 So be patient with gracious patience. 5 They think that it (the Day of Judgment) is far away. 6 And We see it nigh. 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 bosom friend will enquire about any of his bosom friends 10 They will be seeing them; the guilty will wish if only he could redeem himself from the punishment of that day, by offering his sons. 11 and his spouse and his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all those that are in the earth, (wishing) then (that) this might deliver him. 14 Nay, verily it is a furnace 15 Plucking out (his being) right to the skull!- 16 It will summon whoever turns his back and flees, 17 And collected [wealth] and hoarded. 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 And, when good befalleth him, grudging; 21 Except the observers of prayer - 22 who are constant in prayer; 23 And those in whose riches is a known right. 24 For those who beg, and for the needy who cannot even ask. 25 those who firmly believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who are fearful of the chastisement of their Lord-- 27 surely the chastisement of their Lord is a thing none can feel secure from – 28 who guard their carnal desires 29 Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they are not to be blamed - 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, then it is those who are trespassers. 31 and those who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges; 32 and those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who guard (the sacredness) of their worship;- 34 These will dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35