The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 Upon the disbelievers – the punishment that none can avert. 2 [It is] from Allah, owner of the ways of ascent. 3 To whom the angels and the soul take a day to ascend, whose length is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore patiently endure, in the best manner (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him). 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 On the Day the sky will be like murky oil, 8 and the mountains will become like dyed tufts of 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 wife and his brother. 12 and of all the kinsfolk who ever sheltered him, 13 and of whoever [else] lives on earth, all of them - so that he could but save himself. 14 By no means! It will be the fierce flame 15 tearing away his skin! 16 It calleth him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 and amass [wealth] and thereupon withhold [it from their fellow-men]. 18 ۞ Surely man is created of a hasty temperament 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 And niggardly when good touches him; 21 Except those who establish prayer. 22 Who persevere in devotion, 23 In whose wealth a due share is included 24 For those who beg, and for the needy who cannot even ask. 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense 26 and go in fear of the chastisement of their Lord 27 (from their Lord's chastisement none feels secure) 28 and guard their private parts 29 Except with their wives and the bondwomen in their possession, for there is no reproach on them. 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, then it is those who are trespassers. 31 And those who keep their pledges and their covenant, 32 And those who are in their testimonies upright 33 And those who of their prayer are observant. 34 They will live in gardens with honour. 35