The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Someone has (needlessly) demanded to experience the torment (of God), 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 From Allah, the Lord of the ways of ascent. 3 (Whereby) the angels and the Spirit ascend unto Him in a Day whereof the span is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore endure with a goodly patience. 5 Verily! They see it (the torment) afar off, 6 While we behold it nigh: 7 The day the sky becomes like molten brass, 8 and the mountains will become like tufts of wool, 9 no loyal friend shall question loyal friend, 10 Though within sight of one another. The sinner would like to ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his sons, 11 his wife, his brother, 12 his kinsmen who gave him refuge (from hardship) 13 and whosoever is in the earth, altogether, so that it might save him. 14 By no means! Surely it is a flaming fire 15 That would skin the scalp. 16 It calleth him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 And hoarded (wealth) and withheld it. 18 ۞ Lo! man was created anxious, 19 when misfortune touches him he starts lamenting, 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 Except the observers of prayer - 22 Who persevere in devotion, 23 And those within whose wealth is a known right 24 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 and who stand in dread of their Sustainer's chastisement 27 Indeed, the punishment of their Lord is not that from which one is safe - 28 who guard their privates 29 save from their wives and what their right hands own, then not being blameworthy 30 But he who seeks to go beyond this, these it is that go beyond the limits-- 31 And those who are to their trusts and promises attentive 32 who testify to what they have witnessed, 33 and who observe their prayers. 34 Those shall be in gardens, honored. 35