Al Ma'arij

1 One demanding, demanded the chastisement which must befall

1 A questioner asked about a Penalty to befall -

2 The unbelievers - - there is none to avert it - -

2 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off, -

3 From Allah, the Lord of the ways of Ascent.

3 (A Penalty) from Allah, Lord of the Ways of Ascent.

4 To Him ascend the angels and the Spirit in a day the measure of which is fifty thousand years.

4 The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years:

5 Therefore endure with a goodly patience.

5 Therefore do thou hold Patience, - a Patience of beautiful (contentment).

6 Surely they think it to be far off,

6 They see the (Day) indeed as a far - off (event):

7 And We see it nigh.

7 But We see it (quite) near.

8 On the day when the heaven shall be as molten copper

8 The Day that the sky will be like molten brass,

9 And the mountains shall be as tufts of wool

9 And the mountains will be like wool,

10 And friend shall not ask of friend

10 And no friend will ask after a friend,

11 (Though) they shall be made to see each other. The guilty one would fain redeem himself from the chastisement of that day by (sacrificing) his children,

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,

12 And his wife and his brother

12 His wife and his brother,

13 And the nearest of his kinsfolk who gave him shelter,

13 His kindred who sheltered him,

14 And all those that are in the earth, (wishing) then (that) this might deliver him.

14 And all, all that is on earth, - so it could deliver him:

15 By no means! Surely it is a flaming fire

15 By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell! -

16 Dragging by the head,

16 Plucking out (his being) right to the skull! -

17 It shall claim him who turned and fled (from truth),

17 Inviting (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from the Right).

18 And amasses (wealth) then shuts it up.

18 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from use)!

19 Surely man is created of a hasty temperament

19 Truly man was created very impatient; -

20 Being greatly grieved when evil afflicts him

20 Fretful when evil touches him;

21 And niggardly when good befalls him

21 And niggardly when good reaches him; -

22 Except those who pray,

22 Not so those devoted to Prayer; -

23 Those who are constant at their prayer

23 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer;

24 And those in whose wealth there is a fixed portion.

24 And those in whose wealth is a recognised right.

25 For him who begs and for him who is denied (good)

25 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking);

26 And those who accept the truth of the judgment day

26 And those who hold to the truth of the Day of Judgment;

27 And those who are fearful of the chastisement of their Lord - -

27 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord, -

28 Surely the chastisement of their Lord is (a thing) not to be felt secure of - -

28 For their Lord's displeasure is the opposite of Peace and Tranquillity; -

29 And those who guard their private parts,

29 And those who guard their chastity,

30 Except in the case of their wives or those whom their right hands possess - - for these surely are not to be blamed,

30 Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess, - for (then) they are not to be blamed,

31 But he who seeks to go beyond this, these it is that go beyond the limits - -

31 But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors; -

32 And those who are faithful to their trusts and their covenant

32 And those who respect their trusts and covenants;

33 And those who are upright in their testimonies,

33 And those who stand firm in their testimonies;

34 And those who keep a guard on their prayer,

34 And those who guard (the sacredness) of their worship; -

35 Those shall be in gardens, honored.

35 Such will be the honoured ones in the Gardens (of Bliss).

36 But what is the matter with those who disbelieve that they hasten on around you,

36 Now what is the matter with the Unbelievers that they rush madly before thee -

37 On the right hand and on the left, in sundry parties?

37 From the right and from the left, in crowds?

38 Does every man of them desire that he should be made to enter the garden of bliss?

38 Does every man of them long to enter the Garden of Bliss?

39 By no means! Surely We have created them of what they know.

39 By no means! For We have created them out of the (base matter) they know!

40 But nay! I swear by the Lord of the Easts and the Wests that We are certainly able

40 Now I do call to witness the Lord of all points in the East and the West that We can certainly -

41 To bring instead (others) better than them, and We shall not be overcome.

41 Substitute for them better (men) than they; And We are not to be defeated (in Our Plan).

42 Therefore leave them alone to go on with the false discourses and to sport until they come face to face with that day of theirs with which they are threatened;

42 So leave them to plunge in vain talk and play about, until they encounter that Day of theirs which they have been promised! -

43 The day on which they shall come forth from their graves in haste, as if they were hastening on to a goal,

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), -

44 Their eyes cast down; disgrace shall overtake them; that is the day which they were threatened with.

44 Their eyes lowered in dejection, - ignominy covering them (all over)! such is the Day the which they are promised!