The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can avert, 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, 3 by which the angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in one Day the duration of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). 5 Verily! They see it (the torment) afar off, 6 Whereas We see it impending. 7 On the day when the heavens become like molten metal. 8 And the mountains shall be as tufts of wool 9 And no friend will ask after a friend, 10 They will be shown each other. The criminal will wish that he could be ransomed from the punishment of that Day by his children 11 his companion (wife), his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 and all persons of the earth, if only he could thus save himself. 14 But nay! for lo! it is the fire of hell 15 snatching away the scalp, 16 It shall claim him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 and who accumulated wealth without spending it for a good purpose. 18 ۞ Verily man is formed impatient. 19 bewailing when evil befalls him, 20 And niggardly when good reaches him;- 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 Those who are regular in their prayers. 23 those who give a due share of their wealth 24 for the beggar and the outcast, 25 and who accept as true the [coming of the] Day of Judgment; 26 and go in fear of the punishment of their Lord, 27 Indeed the punishment of their Lord is not a thing to be unafraid of! 28 those who preserve their chastity 29 [not giving way to their desires] with any but their spouses - that is, those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock]: for then, behold, they are free of all blame, 30 But those who seek more than this will be transgressors; 31 And those who keep their pledges and their covenant, 32 and perform their witnessings, 33 and who are constant in their prayers. 34 It is these who will be honoured in Gardens. 35