The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can avert, 2 From Allah, the Lord of the ways of ascent. 3 The angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] ascend to Him in a Day the measure whereof is fifty thousand years, 4 Therefore endure with a goodly patience. 5 they see it as being far off; 6 While we behold it nigh: 7 The day the sky becomes like molten brass, 8 The mountains like the tufts of (carded) wool, 9 And not a friend shall ask a 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 His wife and his brother, 12 And his family who had stood by him, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, all together, so that then it might deliver him. 14 No! Indeed, it is the Flame [of Hell], 15 Plucking out (his being) right to the skull!- 16 It shall claim him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 and amass [wealth] and thereupon withhold [it from their fellow-men]. 18 ۞ Human beings are created greedy. 19 If evil befalls him he is perturbed; 20 And, when good befalleth him, grudging; 21 Not so are the prayerful. 22 and continue at their prayers, 23 And those in whose wealth exists a recognised right, 24 For the beggar who asks, and for the unlucky who has lost his property and wealth, (and his means of living has been straitened); 25 And those who believe the Day of Judgement to be true. 26 and are fearful of the punishment of their Lord; 27 (from their Lord's chastisement none feels secure) 28 And those who of their private parts are guards. 29 Save with their wives and those whom their right hands possess, for thus they are not blameworthy; 30 but whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 and who preserve their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies. 33 and who observe their prayers. 34 These will dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35