The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 Upon the infidels -- which none would be able to repel -- 2 from punishing them. He is the Lord of the Ascending Stairways, 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit mount up, in a day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 (Muhammad), exercise patience with no complaints. 5 They deem it to be remote. 6 And We see it nigh. 7 The day the sky becomes like molten brass, 8 The mountains like the tufts of (carded) wool, 9 And no friend inquires after friend 10 Though they will be given sight of them. The guilty man will long to be able to ransom himself from the punishment of that day at the price of his children 11 and his spouse and his brother, 12 And his kindred who sheltered him, 13 and of whoever [else] lives on earth, all of them - so that he could but save himself. 14 By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell!- 15 tearing away his skin! 16 Inviting (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from the Right). 17 and who accumulated wealth without spending it for a good purpose. 18 ۞ Surely man is created of a hasty temperament 19 when misfortune touches him he starts lamenting, 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he selfishly withholds it [from others]. 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 and continue at their prayers, 23 who, from their wealth is a known right 24 for the needy and the deprived, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgment, 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's doom - 27 the punishment of their Lord is not something for them to feel secure of, 28 and those who guard their private parts, 29 Save with their wives and those whom their right hands possess, for thus they are not blameworthy; 30 but those who go beyond that limit are transgressors; 31 and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, 32 and those who stand by their testimony 33 And those who guard their Salat (prayers) well. 34 all these shall live honourably in the Gardens. 35