The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall 1 the unbelievers which none can prevent. 2 from God, the Lord of the Stairways. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit mount up, in a day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 But be patient (O Muhammad) with a patience fair to see. 5 behold, they see it as if far off; 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 The Day that the sky will be like molten brass, 8 and the mountains will be like tufts of wool, 9 and [when] no friend will ask about his friend, 10 They will be shown each other. The criminal will wish that he could be ransomed from the punishment of that Day by his children 11 his wife, his brother, 12 And his kindred who sheltered him, 13 And all those that are in the earth, (wishing) then (that) this might deliver him. 14 No, in truth, it is a Furnace! 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 It will summon whoever turns his back and flees, 17 Who amasses and then hoards. 18 ۞ VERILY, man is born with a restless disposition. 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 And when good touches him, withholding [of it], 21 Except those who pray, 22 Those who are constant at their prayer 23 And those in whose riches is a known right. 24 for those that ask and those that are dispossessed, 25 who acknowledge the Day of Judgment, 26 And those who are fearful of their Lord's torment 27 Indeed, the punishment of their Lord is not that from which one is safe - 28 and those who guard their private parts, 29 except from their spouses and those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock], for which they incur no blame -- 30 But whoever seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors - 31 And those who are faithful to their trusts and their covenant 32 And those who stand by their testimony 33 and (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 They will be in gardens, honored. 35