| | Dr. Munir Munshey rendition of Surah The Ascending Stairways, The Ladders(al-Ma`arij)
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| 70:1 | | The skeptics ask about the torment that is bound to land |
| 70:2 | | Upon the unbelievers! Nothing can ward it off |
| 70:3 | | (It is) from Allah, the Lord of the means of ascent (to the heavens) |
| 70:4 | | The angels and the spirits rise up towards Him during a day that spans fifty thousand years |
| 70:5 | | So endure (all adversity) with grace and patience |
| 70:6 | | Indeed, they consider the punishment to be far in the future |
| 70:7 | | While We see it close at hand |
| 70:8 | | The sky that day, will be like molten copper |
| 70:9 | | And the mountains like the fluffy tufts of wool |
| 70:10 | | Even the closest friends would fail to inquire about (the welfare of) their close friends |
| 70:11 | | Although, they would see each other! The criminal, that day, would like to escape punishment by offering his own son as ransom |
| 70:12 | | His wife and his brother |
| 70:13 | | And (all) relatives _ (even those) who had sheltered him (through the years) |
| 70:14 | | In fact, (he would be ready to offer as ransom) every single soul on earth, if he could (in return) save himself |
| 70:15 | | No! Of course not! It is a blazing inferno |
| 70:16 | | And it will scald away the scalps (of the unbelievers) |
| 70:17 | | It will summon (by name), all those who turned their backs and ran away (from the truth) |
| 70:18 | | And amassed (wealth), and hoarded it |
| 70:19 | | Indeed, man is created impatient (and fretful) |
| 70:20 | | He (frets and) panics in the face of adversity |
| 70:21 | | And acts niggardly when he encounters good fortune |
| 70:22 | | Except those who perform ´salat´ |
| 70:23 | | (Successful are) those who are steadfast (prompt, and punctual) in their ´salat´ |
| 70:24 | | Those who accept a due share in their wealth |
| 70:25 | | For people seeking (alms), and for the deprived |
| 70:26 | | (Successful are) those who believe in the Day of Judgment |
| 70:27 | | Those who were fearful of the torment inflicted by their Lord |
| 70:28 | | Indeed, None may feel (wholly) secure and indifferent to the torment of their Lord |
| 70:29 | | (Successful are) those who rein in their sexuality |
| 70:30 | | Except with their spouses _ those whom their right hands possess; because then, they are not blameworthy |
| 70:31 | | While those seeking anything beyond that are really the transgressors |
| 70:32 | | (Successful are) those who discharged their trusts faithfully, and honor their pledges |
| 70:33 | | And when they bear witness, they stand firm (and are truthful) |
| 70:34 | | Those who perform their ´salat´ devotedly and diligently |
| 70:35 | | Such (righteous) ones would be honored in paradise |
| 70:36 | | So what is wrong with the unbelievers? Why do they run towards you |
| 70:37 | | (They are ever so ready to denounce you) in groups, on the right and on the left |
| 70:38 | | Does every man among them aspire to enter the blessings filled paradise |
| 70:39 | | No, of course not! We have created them out of (base) matter that they know (and are familiar with) |
| 70:40 | | Certainly not! I swear by the Lord of the easts and the wests, that We are indeed capable |
| 70:41 | | Of replacing them with (other creations) better than them. We shall certainly not be surpassed |
| 70:42 | | So let them stay engrossed in their idle talks and their games, until they come to face their promised day |
| 70:43 | | That day they would rush out of their graves fast, as if they were hurrying towards their goal |
| 70:44 | | Their eyes shall be down cast (with shame). Humiliation and disgrace shall overwhelm them (completely). They are being promised (just) such a day |
