The Heights (Al-Ma'aarej)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
AN INQUIRER ASKED for the affliction that is to come 1 Upon the infidels -- which none would be able to repel -- 2 a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, 3 On that Day (of Judgment), long as fifty thousand years, the angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him. 4 Therefore endure with a goodly patience. 5 Surely they think it to be far off, 6 but We see it to be very near. 7 On the Day the sky will be like murky oil, 8 And the mountains will be like wool, 9 And no friend will ask of a friend, 10 Though they will be put in sight of each other,- the sinner's desire will be: Would that he could redeem himself from the Penalty of that Day by (sacrificing) his children, 11 His wife and his brother, 12 And his nearest kindred who shelter him 13 And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: 14 By no means! Surely it is a flaming fire 15 A remover of exteriors. 16 It shall call him who turneth back and backslideth. 17 And masseth and then hoardeth. 18 ۞ Indeed, man is born impatient: 19 When evil toucheth him, he is bewailing. 20 and whenever good fortune comes to him, he grows niggardly. 21 except those that pray, 22 Those who remain constant in their Salat (prayers); 23 They are those who assign a certain share of their property 24 For the needy and those dispossessed, 25 And those who believe in the Day of Recompense 26 and who stand in dread of their Sustainer's chastisement 27 for none is secure from the punishment of their Lord, 28 And those who protect their private organs (from adultery). 29 Except in the case of their wives or those whom their right hands possess-- for these surely are not to be blamed, 30 but whoever goes beyond this is a transgressor; 31 And those who are faithful to their trusts and their covenant 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 33 And those who are attentive at their worship. 34 Those are highly honored in the Gardens. 35