The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall 1 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- 2 From Allah, Owner of the ascending steps. 3 To whom the angels and the soul take a day to ascend, whose length is fifty thousand years. 4 Therefore, [O believers] behave with seemly patience. 5 They deem it to be remote. 6 but We see it is nigh. 7 The Day that the sky will be like the boiling filth of oil, (or molten copper or silver or lead, etc.). 8 And then the mountains shall become like unto wool dyed. 9 And friend shall not ask of 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 companion wife, his brother, 12 And his kin that sheltered him. 13 and whosoever is in the earth, altogether, so that it might save him. 14 But never. It is pure white flame 15 Taking away (burning completely) the head skin! 16 It shall call him who turneth back and backslideth. 17 who amassed and hoarded. 18 ۞ Verily, man (disbeliever) was created very impatient; 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 And refraining, when good reaches him. 21 Not so, however, those who consciously turn towards God in prayer. 22 Those who remain constant in their Salat (prayers); 23 And those in whose wealth is a recognised right. 24 for such as ask [for help] and such as are deprived [of what is good in life]; 25 those who firmly believe in the Day of Recompense, 26 and are fearful of the punishment of their Lord; 27 for none is secure from the punishment of their Lord, 28 And those who guard their sex except from their wives and women slaves of old 29 except from their wives and what their right hands own, for these they are not blameworthy. 30 whereas such as seek to go beyond that [limit] are truly transgressors; 31 who honor their trust and promises, 32 And those who are upright in their testimonies, 33 And those who guard their Salat (prayers) well. 34 These will dwell in Gardens, honoured. 35