al-Ma`arij (The Ascending Stairways, The Ladders) at IslamAwakened.com

70:1 A questioner asked concerning a torment about to befall —

70:2 upon the disbelievers, (there is) not, unto it one who can avert (it) —

70:3 (since it is coming) from Allah, controller of the ascents

70:4 The angels and the Ar-Ruh ascend to Him in an aeon the measure whereof is fifty thousand years

70:5 So have patience — a beautiful patience

70:6 Verily, they see it (i.e., the torment about to befall) as something extremely remote

70:7 while We see it very near

70:8 The Day the sky becomes like the superficial flim of boiling oil

70:9 and the mountains become like flakes of wool

70:10 and does not ask a deeply devoted friend for (his) deeply devoted friend

70:11 People would be made to watch one another. The sinner would desire that he may pay a ransom to get rid of the torment that Day by (offering) his sons (in ransom)

70:12 and his consort, and his brother

70:13 and his kinfolks who sheltered him

70:14 and whosoever is on the earth — altogether, then (thus) he may redeem himself

70:15 By no means! Surely that (would be) a furiously flaming, blazing Fire —

70:16 one that strips off the skin

70:17 It (i.e., the blazing Fire invites) that who turned his back (to) and moved away (from Al-Kitab)

70:18 and hoarded (wealth) and withheld it (from spending it in accordance with the dictates of his conscience and the Scripture)

70:19 Verily, a human being: (as if) he is created impatient

70:20 When Ash-shar (harm) touched him, (he is one) who is extremely disturbed

70:21 And when Al-Khair (good) touched him, (he is one) who hesitates (himself) and also stops others (from spending it in a desirable way) —

70:22 except those who adhere to canonical Prayers

70:23 those people who: they are constant in offering their Prayers

70:24 and those: in their wealth is a well-known share —

70:25 for one who is compelled to ask and that who stands deprived (of the bare needs)

70:26 and those who Believe and testify the Day of Accountability and Judgment

70:27 and those who: they are ever mindful of the torment of their Nourisher-Sustainer

70:28 surely, the torment of their Nourisher-Sustainer (is) not an event that one may feel secure against it

70:29 and those who: they, regarding their private sexual parts are protectors —

70:30 except unto their wives or ma-malakat-aimanuhum (the women who are given in guardianship of adult males as their wives under a document prepared by the Muslim state) — then surely they are unblamed people

70:31 But whosoever sought beyond that then those people: they very ones are those who break the limits

70:32 And those: they, regarding the trusts with them, and promises with them, (behave as) those who implement with responsibility

70:33 and those — they stand firm on their testimonies (till the judgment in the case)

70:34 and those — they, over their Prayers act as guards

70:35 such a people would dwell in the Gardens (of Paradise) as honoured people

70:36 Then what (is the matter) with those who have disbelieved; in front of you they are those who swiftly move hither and thither (without paying attention to the teachings you propagate)

70:37 from the right (side) and from the left side in splinter groups

70:38 Does every man of them wish that he may be allowed entry in the Garden of delight

70:39 By no means! Verily We, We created them out of that which they know

70:40 So nay! I (i.e., Allah) bring as Witness the Rabb (Nourisher-Sustainer) of the easts and the wests. Surely We are, indeed, All-Capable Ones —

70:41 over (this) that We replace (them by people) better than them; and We are not those who are outrun

70:42 So leave them, they will indulge in vain talk and would play and sport until they have met their Day which they have been promised

70:43 The Day they will come out of the burial sites swiftly, as if they hasten on (and race) to a fixed target

70:44 their eyes adopting low-down position (in humility, fear and lamentation), ignominy (and disgrace) covers them. This is the Day which they had been promised