The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
A questioner asked of a chastisement about to fall 1 for the unbelievers, which none may avert, 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) ascend in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years. 4 (Muhammad), exercise patience with no complaints. 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 But We see it (quite) near. 7 On the Day the sky will be like murky oil, 8 and the mountains will become like tufts of wool, 9 And no friend will ask of a friend, 10 Though they will be put in sight of each other,- the sinner's desire will be: Would that he could redeem himself from the Penalty of that Day by (sacrificing) his children, 11 And his wife and his brother. 12 And the family in which he was. 13 and all the people of the earth, if that could deliver him. 14 By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell!- 15 Eager to roast; 16 Calling: "[O Kafir (O disbeliever in Allah, His angels, His Book, His Messengers, Day of Resurrection and in Al-Qadar (Divine Preordainments), O Mushrik (O polytheist, disbeliever in the Oneness of Allah)] (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from Faith) [picking and swallowing them up from that great gathering of mankind (on the Day of Resurrection) just as a bird picks up a food-grain from the earth with its beak and swallows it up] [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, Vol. 18, Page 289] 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from use)! 18 ۞ Verily man is formed impatient. 19 Very nervous when touched by misfortune. 20 And when good touches him, withholding [of it], 21 Save worshippers. 22 Who persevere in devotion, 23 who, from their wealth is a known right 24 for the beggar and the outcast, 25 who confirm the Day of Doom 26 and fear the chastisement of their Lord – 27 for none may ever feel secure from the punishment of their Lord; 28 and those who guard their private parts, 29 Except from their wives or those their right hands possess, for indeed, they are not to be blamed - 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, then it is those who are trespassers. 31 and who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges: 32 And those who are in their testimonies upright 33 And those who of their prayer are observant. 34 Such shall dwell in the Gardens (i.e. Paradise) honoured. 35