Surat Al-Ma`ārij (The Ascending Stairways) <br /> <br /> <br />1. A questioner asked about a Penalty to befall- <br /> <br />2. The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- <br /> <br />3. (A Penalty) from Allah, Lord of the Ways of Ascent. <br /> <br />4. The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: <br /> <br />5. Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). <br /> <br />6. They see the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event): <br /> <br />7. But We see it (quite) near. <br /> <br />8. The Day that the sky will be like molten brass, <br /> <br />9. And the mountains will be like wool, <br /> <br />10. And no friend will ask after a friend, <br /> <br />11. 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, <br /> <br />12. His wife and his brother, <br /> <br />13. His kindred who sheltered him, <br /> <br />14. And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: <br /> <br />15. By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell!- <br /> <br />16. Plucking out (his being) right to the skull!- <br /> <br />17. Inviting (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from the Right). <br /> <br />18. And collect (wealth) and hide it (from use)! <br /> <br />19. Truly man was created very impatient;- <br /> <br />20. Fretful when evil touches him; <br /> <br />21. And niggardly when good reaches him;- <br /> <br />22. Not so those devoted to Prayer;- <br /> <br />23. Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; <br /> <br />24. And those in whose wealth is a recognised right. <br /> <br />25. For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); <br /> <br />26. And those who hold to the truth of the Day of Judgment; <br /> <br />27. And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- <br /> <br />28. For their Lord's displeasure is the opposite of Peace and Tranquillity;- <br /> <br />29. And those who guard their chastity, <br /> <br />30. Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (then) they are not to be blamed, <br /> <br />31. But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors;- <br /> <br />32. And those who respect their trusts and covenants; <br /> <br />33. And those who stand firm in their testimonies; <br /> <br />34. And those who guard (the sacredness) of their worship;- <br /> <br />35. Such will be the honoured ones in the Gardens (of Bliss). <br /> <br />36. Now what is the matter with the Unbelievers that they rush madly before thee- <br /> <br />37. From the right and from the left, in crowds? <br /> <br />38. Does every man of them long to enter the Garden of Bliss? <br /> <br />39. By no means! For We have created them out of the (base matter) they know! <br /> <br />40. Now I do call to witness the Lord of all points in the East and the West that We can certainly- <br /> <br />41. Substitute for them better (men) than they; And We are not to be defeated (in Our Plan). <br /> <br />42. So leave them to plunge in vain talk and play about, until they encounter that Day of theirs which they have been promised!- <br /> <br />43. The Day whereon they will issue from their sepulchres in sudden haste as if they were rushing to a goal-post (fixed for them),- <br /> <br />44. Their eyes lowered in dejection,- ignominy covering them (all over)! such is the Day the which they are promised!
