The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 to those who deny the truth. No power can hinder God 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, 3 (Whereby) the angels and the Spirit ascend unto Him in a Day whereof the span is fifty thousand years. 4 But be patient (O Muhammad) with a patience fair to see. 5 They surely take it to be far away, 6 but We see it near. 7 Upon the day when heaven shall be as molten copper 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 And no familiar friend will ask a question of his 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 and his brother, 12 the kinsmen who gave him shelter, 13 And whoever is on earth entirely [so] then it could save him. 14 Nay, verily it is a furnace 15 It snatches away by the scalps, 16 It will claim all such as turn their backs [on what is right,] and turn away [from the truth,] 17 And masseth and then hoardeth. 18 ۞ Truly man was created very impatient;- 19 Being greatly grieved when evil afflicts him 20 If good comes to him he holds back his hand, 21 save those that pray 22 [and] who incessantly persevere in their prayer 23 those in whose wealth is a right known 24 For the beggar and the destitute. 25 who acknowledge the Day of Judgment, 26 And those who fear the torment of their Lord, 27 Verily the torment of their Lord is not a thing to feel secure from. 28 who guard their privates 29 except from their wives and slave girls, in which case they are not to be blamed, 30 And whosoever seeketh beyond that, then it is those who are the trespassers 31 And those who protect the property entrusted to them, and their agreements. 32 and those who are upright in their testimonies; 33 And those who are mindful of their moral obligations. 34 Those shall be in gardens, honored. 35