The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
A caller supplicated about a punishment to fall on 1 for the unbelievers, which none may avert, 2 (A Penalty) from Allah, Lord of the Ways of Ascent. 3 by which the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him in one Day which will last for 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 (quite) near. 7 On the Day the sky will be like murky oil, 8 And the hills become as flakes of wool, 9 And no friend inquires after friend 10 though they may be in one another's sight: [for,] everyone who was lost in sin will on that Day but desire to ransom himself from suffering at the price of his own children, 11 his wife, his brother, 12 And his kindred who sheltered him, 13 and of whoever [else] lives on earth, all of them - so that he could but save himself. 14 But no! There is a raging blaze 15 That would skin the scalp. 16 It shall insistently summon him who turned his back and retreated, 17 and amassed (riches) and hoarded. 18 ۞ Truly man was created very impatient;- 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 And refraining, when good reaches him. 21 Not so, however, those who consciously turn towards God in prayer. 22 Who persevere in devotion, 23 And those in whose wealth there is a known right, 24 For the needy and those dispossessed, 25 And those who believe the Day of Judgement to be true. 26 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 27 Surely the chastisement of their Lord is (a thing) not to be felt secure of-- 28 And those who guard their sex except from their wives and women slaves of old 29 Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (then) they are not to be blamed, 30 But whosoever seeks beyond that, they are the transgressors. 31 who honor their trust and promises, 32 And those who stand by their testimony 33 and are steadfast in their prayers. 34 It is these who will be honoured in Gardens. 35