Al Ma'arij

1 A questioner asked about a Penalty to befall -

1 One demanding, demanded the chastisement which must befall

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

5 Therefore endure with a goodly patience.

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

6 Surely they think it to be far off,

7 But We see it (quite) near.

7 And We see it nigh.

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

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

9 And the mountains will be like wool,

9 And the mountains shall be as tufts of wool

10 And no friend will ask after a friend,

10 And friend shall not ask of friend

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,

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,

12 His wife and his brother,

12 And his wife and his brother

13 His kindred who sheltered him,

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

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

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

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

15 By no means! Surely it is a flaming fire

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

16 Dragging by the head,

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

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

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

18 And amasses (wealth) then shuts it up.

19 Truly man was created very impatient; -

19 Surely man is created of a hasty temperament

20 Fretful when evil touches him;

20 Being greatly grieved when evil afflicts him

21 And niggardly when good reaches him; -

21 And niggardly when good befalls him

22 Not so those devoted to Prayer; -

22 Except those who pray,

23 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer;

23 Those who are constant at their prayer

24 And those in whose wealth is a recognised right.

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

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

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

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

26 And those who accept the truth of the judgment day

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

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

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

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

29 And those who guard their chastity,

29 And those who guard their private parts,

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

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

31 But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors; -

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

32 And those who respect their trusts and covenants;

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

33 And those who stand firm in their testimonies;

33 And those who are upright in their testimonies,

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

34 And those who keep a guard on their prayer,

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

35 Those shall be in gardens, honored.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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;

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), -

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

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

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