The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
A doubter once demanded that punishment be immediately meted out, 1 Upon the disbelievers, which none can avert, 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 3 On that Day (of Judgment), long as fifty thousand years, the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him. 4 So be patient (O Muhammad SAW), with a good patience. 5 they see it as being far off; 6 but We see it is nigh. 7 The day when the sky will be like molten silver. 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 And no familiar friend will ask a question of his friend 10 although they shall be within sight of one another. The guilty one would fain ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his children, 11 his companion (wife), his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 and all persons of the earth, if only he could thus save himself. 14 But nay! Verily, all [that awaits him] is a raging flame, 15 A fire that melts the hide. 16 It shall claim him who turned and fled (from truth), 17 And accumulated wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Indeed, man is born impatient: 19 When evil touches him, impatient, 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 Except the observers of prayer - 22 Who persevere in devotion, 23 They are those who assign a certain share of their property 24 For him who begs and for him who is denied (good) 25 And those who believe the Day of Judgement to be true. 26 and are fearful of the punishment of their Lord; 27 Surely no one can be secure from the punishment of his Lord, -- 28 and guard their private parts 29 except in regard to their spouses and those whom their right hands possess, for in regard to them they are not reproachable, 30 But whoever seeks beyond that, then they are the transgressors - 31 (Those) who keep their trusts and their covenant, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies. 33 And those who of their prayer are observant. 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35