The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
A supplicant asked for a punishment bound to happen 1 the unbelievers which none can prevent. 2 From Allah, Lord of the Ascending Stairways 3 The angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him during a Day the extent of which is fifty thousand years. 4 Wherefore be thou patient with a becoming patience. 5 Lo! they behold it afar off 6 but We see it is nigh. 7 [It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead, 8 and the mountains will become like tufts of wool, 9 And friend shall not ask of friend 10 though they shall be within sight of each other. The guilty one will gladly ransom himself from the torment of that Day by sacrificing his own children, 11 And his wife and his brother 12 his kinsmen who gave him refuge (from hardship) 13 And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: 14 But no! There is a raging blaze 15 Flaying off the scalp-skin. 16 and it will claim all those who turned their backs [on the true faith] and turned away [from the truth], 17 and amass [wealth] and thereupon withhold [it from their fellow-men]. 18 ۞ VERILY, man is born with a restless disposition. 19 Very nervous when touched by misfortune. 20 but when good comes upon him, he is grudging 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 22 Those who are constant at their prayer 23 And those in whose wealth there is a known right, 24 for such as ask [for help] and such as are deprived [of what is good in life]; 25 and those who believe in the Day of Judgement 26 and go in fear of the punishment of their Lord, 27 (from their Lord's chastisement none feels secure) 28 who guard their carnal desires 29 [not giving way to their desires] with any but their spouses - that is, those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock]: for then, behold, they are free of all blame, 30 But those who seek more than this will be transgressors; 31 who honor their trust and promises, 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 and who are constant in their prayers. 34 These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured! 35