The Holy Qur'an (Maulana Muhammad Ali)/70. The Ways of Ascent

70. The Ways of Ascent (Al-Ma'arij)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

A questioner asks about the chastisement to befall 

The disbelievers -- there is none to avert it -- 

From Allah, Lord of the ways of Ascent. 

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

So be patient with a goodly patience. 

Surely they see it far off, 

And We see it nigh. 

The day when the heaven is as molten brass, 

<section begin="70:9"/>And the mountains are as wool; <section end="70:9"/>

<section begin="70:10"/>And no friend will ask of friend, <section end="70:10"/>

<section begin="70:11"/>(Though) they are made to see them. The guilty one would fain redeem himself from the chastisement of that day by his children, <section end="70:11"/>

<section begin="70:12"/>And his wife and his brother, <section end="70:12"/>

<section begin="70:13"/>And his kin that gave him shelter, <section end="70:13"/>

<section begin="70:14"/>And all that are in the earth -- then deliver him -- <section end="70:14"/>

<section begin="70:15"/>By no means! Surely it is a flaming Fire, <section end="70:15"/>

<section begin="70:16"/>Plucking out the extremities -- <section end="70:16"/>

<section begin="70:17"/>It shall claim him who retreats and turns his back, <section end="70:17"/>

<section begin="70:18"/>And hoards then withholds. <section end="70:18"/>

<section begin="70:19"/>Surely man is created impatient -- <section end="70:19"/>

<section begin="70:20"/>Fretful when evil afflicts him, <section end="70:20"/>

<section begin="70:21"/>And niggardly when good befalls him -- <section end="70:21"/>

<section begin="70:22"/>Except those who pray, <section end="70:22"/>

<section begin="70:23"/>Who are constant at their prayer, <section end="70:23"/>

<section begin="70:24"/>And in whose wealth there is a known right <section end="70:24"/>

<section begin="70:25"/>For the beggar and the destitute, <section end="70:25"/>

<section begin="70:26"/>And those who accept the truth of the day of Judgment: <section end="70:26"/>

<section begin="70:27"/>And those who are fearful of the chastisement of their Lord -- <section end="70:27"/>

<section begin="70:28"/>Surely the chastisement of their Lord is (a thing) not to be felt secure from -- <section end="70:28"/>

<section begin="70:29"/>And those who restrain their sexual passions, <section end="70:29"/>

<section begin="70:30"/>Except in the presence of their mates or those whom their right hands possess -- for such surely are not to be blamed, <section end="70:30"/>

<section begin="70:31"/>But he who seeks to go beyond this, these are the transgressors. <section end="70:31"/>

<section begin="70:32"/>And those who are faithful to their trusts and their covenant, <section end="70:32"/>

<section begin="70:33"/>And those who are upright in their testimonies, <section end="70:33"/>

<section begin="70:34"/>And those who keep a guard on their prayer. <section end="70:34"/>

<section begin="70:35"/>These are in Gardens, honoured. <section end="70:35"/>

<section begin="70:36"/>But what is the matter with those who disbelieve, that they hasten on to thee, <section end="70:36"/>

<section begin="70:37"/>On the right hand and on the left, in sundry parties? <section end="70:37"/>

<section begin="70:38"/>Does every man of them desire to be admitted to the Garden of bliss? <section end="70:38"/>

<section begin="70:39"/>By no means! Surely We have created them for what they know. <section end="70:39"/>

<section begin="70:40"/>But nay I swear by the Lord of the Eastern lands and the Western lands that We are certainly Powerful <section end="70:40"/>

<section begin="70:41"/>To bring in their place (others) better than them, and We shall not be overcome. <section end="70:41"/>

<section begin="70:42"/>So leave them alone to plunge in vain talk and to sport, until they come face to face with that day of theirs which they are promised -- <section end="70:42"/>

<section begin="70:43"/>The day when they come forth from the graves in haste, as hastening on to a goal, <section end="70:43"/>

<section begin="70:44"/>Their eyes cast down, disgrace covering them. Such is the day which they are promised. <section end="70:44"/>