سُوْرَۃُ المَعَارِج

A questioner asked about a Penalty to befall- ۝ 1 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- ۝ 2 (A Penalty) from Allah, Lord of the Ways of Ascent. ۝ 3 The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: ۝ 4 Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). ۝ 5 They see the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event): ۝ 6 But We see it (quite) near. ۝ 7 The Day that the sky will be like molten brass, ۝ 8 And the mountains will be like wool, ۝ 9 And no friend will ask after 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 His kindred who sheltered him, ۝ 13 And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: ۝ 14 By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell!- ۝ 15 Plucking out (his being) right to the skull!- ۝ 16 Inviting (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from the Right). ۝ 17 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from use)! ۝ 18 Truly man was created very impatient;- ۝ 19 Fretful when evil touches him; ۝ 20 And niggardly when good reaches him;- ۝ 21 Not so those devoted to Prayer;- ۝ 22 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; ۝ 23 And those in whose wealth is a recognised right. ۝ 24 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); ۝ 25 And those who hold to the truth of the Day of Judgment; ۝ 26 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- ۝ 27 For their Lord´s displeasure is the opposite of Peace and Tranquillity;- ۝ 28 And those who guard their chastity, ۝ 29 Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (then) they are not to be blamed, ۝ 30 But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors;- ۝ 31 And those who respect their trusts and covenants; ۝ 32 And those who stand firm in their testimonies; ۝ 33 And those who guard (the sacredness) of their worship;- ۝ 34 Such will be the honoured ones in the Gardens (of Bliss). ۝ 35 Now what is the matter with the Unbelievers that they rush madly before thee- ۝ 36 From the right and from the left, in crowds? ۝ 37 Does every man of them long to enter the Garden of Bliss? ۝ 38 By no means! For We have created them out of the (base matter) they know! ۝ 39 Now I do call to witness the Lord of all points in the East and the West that We can certainly- ۝ 40 Substitute for them better (men) than they; And We are not to be defeated (in Our Plan). ۝ 41 So leave them to plunge in vain talk and play about, until they encounter that Day of theirs which they have been promised!- ۝ 42 The Day whereon they will issue from their sepulchres in sudden haste as if they were rushing to a goal-post (fixed for them),- ۝ 43 Their eyes lowered in dejection,- ignominy covering them (all over)! such is the Day the which they are promised! ۝ 44