The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
One demanding, demanded the chastisement which must befall 1 the unbelievers which none can prevent. 2 (A punishment) from Allah, the Owner of the Elevated Passages. 3 To Him the angels and the Spirit mount up, in a day whereof the measure is fifty thousand years. 4 So be patient with gracious patience. 5 Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, 6 but, We see it as near! 7 The Day that the sky will be like the boiling filth of oil, (or molten copper or silver or lead, etc.). 8 and the mountains will be like tufts of wool, 9 no loyal friend shall question loyal friend, 10 They will be seeing them; the guilty will wish if only he could redeem himself from the punishment of that day, by offering his sons. 11 His wife and his brother, 12 and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, 13 And all that are in the earth, if then it might deliver him. 14 But no! There is a raging blaze 15 will strip-off the flesh 16 Inviting (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from the Right). 17 and amassed wealth and hoarded it. 18 ۞ Surely man was created fretful, 19 [As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity; 20 and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, 21 Except those who closely follow (the Book of God), 22 and continue at their prayers, 23 And those in whose wealth is a recognised right. 24 to those who ask [for help] and to the destitute; 25 And those who hold to the truth of the Day of Judgment; 26 who are afraid of the torment of their Lord, 27 Indeed the punishment of their Lord is not a thing to be unafraid of! 28 those who preserve their chastity 29 Except with their wives and the bondwomen in their possession, for there is no reproach on them. 30 but any who seeks to go beyond that, it is indeed they who are the transgressors, 31 And those who are faithful to their trusts and their covenant 32 and who stand firm whenever they bear witness; 33 And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: 34 It is these who will be honoured in Gardens. 35