The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
A questioner questioned concerning the doom about to fall 1 The infidels, of which there is no averter. 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 Therefore patiently endure, in the best manner (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him). 5 They see the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event): 6 but, We see it as near! 7 The Day that the sky will be like the boiling filth of oil, (or molten copper or silver or lead, etc.). 8 and the mountains will become like dyed tufts of wool, 9 And no friend will ask concerning his friend. 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 of his spouse, and of his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 And all that are in the earth, if then it might deliver him. 14 By no means! It will be the fierce flame 15 stripping away his skin, 16 and drag into it anyone who has turned away (from obeying God), 17 and amassed (riches) and hoarded. 18 ۞ Indeed, mankind was created anxious: 19 Irritable (discontented) when evil touches him; 20 but when they are fortunate, they become niggardly 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 Those who are regular in their prayers. 23 And those in whose wealth is a recognised right. 24 for those that ask and those that are dispossessed, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's doom - 27 for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure; 28 and who are mindful of their chastity, 29 except from their wives and what their right hands own, for these they are not blameworthy. 30 (but whoso seeks after more than that, they are the transgressors), 31 and who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges: 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 and who are constant in their prayers. 34 all these shall live honourably in the Gardens. 35