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 infidels, of which there is no averter. 2 From God, the Lord of the steps (of progression), 3 On that Day (of Judgment), long as fifty thousand years, the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him. 4 Therefore endure with a goodly patience. 5 They see the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event): 6 But We see it very near. 7 On the day when the heavens become like molten metal. 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 even intimate friends will not inquire about their friends, 10 Though within sight of one another. The sinner would like to ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his sons, 11 His wife and his brother, 12 And the nearest of his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all that are in the earth, if then it might deliver him. 14 By no means! Verily, it will be the Fire of Hell! 15 tearing away his skin! 16 It invites he who turned his back [on truth] and went away [from obedience] 17 and amassed wealth and covetously hoarded it. 18 ۞ Verily, man (disbeliever) was created very impatient; 19 Irritable (discontented) when evil touches him; 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he selfishly withholds it [from others]. 21 Not so, however, those who consciously turn towards God in prayer. 22 Those who are constant in their prayer 23 And those in whose wealth there is a known right, 24 For the beggar and the destitute. 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgment, 26 and go in fear of the punishment of their Lord, 27 Indeed, the punishment of their Lord is not that from which one is safe - 28 who guard their carnal desires 29 except from their wives and what their right hands own, for these they are not blameworthy. 30 And whosoever seeketh beyond that, then it is those who are the trespassers 31 And those who are to their trusts and promises attentive 32 and standby their witnessing, 33 and who observe their prayers. 34 such people will receive due honor in Paradise. 35