The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can repel, 2 From Allah, Owner of the ascending steps. 3 by which the angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in one Day the duration of which is fifty thousand years. 4 So persevere with becoming patience. 5 behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away 6 And We behold it nigh. 7 On that Day the heavens shall become like molten brass, 8 and the mountains shall be like puffs of wool. 9 And no friend will ask after a friend, 10 although they shall be within sight of one another. The guilty one would fain ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his children, 11 his companion (wife), his brother, 12 And the nearest of his kinsfolk who gave him shelter, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, altogether, so that it might save him. 14 By no means! Verily, it will be the Fire of Hell! 15 will strip-off the flesh 16 It will claim all such as turn their backs [on what is right,] and turn away [from the truth,] 17 and amassed wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Lo! man was created anxious, 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 And, when good befalleth him, grudging; 21 except those that pray 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 23 and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them,] 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 in the Day of Recompense 26 And those who are fearful of the punishment of their Lord - 27 Indeed, the punishment of their Lord is not that from which one is safe - 28 and guard their private parts 29 Save with their wives and those whom their right hands possess, for thus they are not blameworthy; 30 but any who seeks to go beyond that, it is indeed they who are the transgressors, 31 And those who keep their pledges and their covenant, 32 and who stand firm whenever they bear witness; 33 And those who protect their prayers. 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35