The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 Upon the disbelievers – the punishment that none can avert. 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, 3 all the angels and all the inspiration [ever granted to man] ascend unto Him [daily,] in a day the length whereof is [like] fifty thousand years… 4 Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). 5 they see it as being far off; 6 but We see it near at hand. 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 The mountains like the tufts of (carded) wool, 9 No loyal friend will ask another loyal 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 And his wife and his brother. 12 His kindred who sheltered him, 13 and whosoever is in the earth, altogether, so that it might save him. 14 But no! There is a raging blaze 15 A fire that melts the hide. 16 It invites he who turned his back [on truth] and went away [from obedience] 17 and who accumulated wealth without spending it for a good purpose. 18 ۞ VERILY, man is born with a restless disposition. 19 If evil befalls him he is perturbed; 20 And niggardly when good reaches him;- 21 Except those who establish prayer. 22 who are steadfast in prayer; 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 24 for such as ask [for help] and such as are deprived [of what is good in life]; 25 And those who believe in the Day of Judgement, 26 And those who are fearful of the chastisement of their Lord-- 27 for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure; 28 And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts from illegal sexual acts). 29 Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (then) they are not to be blamed, 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 (finally) those who do not miss their ritual - prayers at the prescribed times; 34 Those shall be in Gardens, high-honoured. 35