| | Linda “iLHam” Barto rendition of Surah The Ascending Stairways, The Ladders(al-Ma`arij)
--- |
|---|
| 70:1 | | A petitioner asks about a penalty to befall… |
| 70:2 | | …the unbelievers. [It is a penalty] which no one can avert. |
| 70:3 | | [It is a penalty] from Allah, the Owner of the Staircase. |
| 70:4 | | The angels and the Spirit ascend unto Him in a [cosmic] day, the measure of which is fifty thousand [Earth] years. |
| 70:5 | | So be patient with a content patience. |
| 70:6 | | (People) see (the last day) as far away,… |
| 70:7 | | …but We see it as near. |
| 70:8 | | That day the sky will look like molten metal. |
| 70:9 | | The mountains will become like [fluffs of] wool. |
| 70:10 | | [Out of dread] no friend will ask about another friend. |
| 70:11 | | [That is] even if they are put in sight of one another. The [unforgiven] sinner will wish that he/she could redeem him-/herself from the penalty of that day with his/her children. |
| 70:12 | | [He/she will wish for redemption by using] his/her spouse, his/her sibling,… |
| 70:13 | | …his/her relatives who sheltered him/her,… |
| 70:14 | | …and all else on the earth that might deliver him/her. |
| 70:15 | | But no! There is only fire… |
| 70:16 | | …plucking to the skull. |
| 70:17 | | [The fire will be] inviting those who turned their backs and rejected [the truth]… |
| 70:18 | | …and who amassed and hoarded. |
| 70:19 | | Humanity tends to be impatient. |
| 70:20 | | [He/she is] fretful when adversity befalls him/her. |
| 70:21 | | [He/she is] stingy when fortune reaches him/her. |
| 70:22 | | Those who worship are different. |
| 70:23 | | They remain devoted in their prayer. |
| 70:24 | | They recognize a right to their money… |
| 70:25 | | …by anyone who asks [for charity] and any who are deprived. |
| 70:26 | | They cling to the truth of the Day of Judgment. |
| 70:27 | | They fear the punishment of their Lord. |
| 70:28 | | Certainly your Lord’s displeasure is the opposite of calm. |
| 70:29 | | They guard their modesty. |
| 70:30 | | The exception is with their spouses and their wards. With them, they have no blame. |
| 70:31 | | Those who go beyond this are sinners. |
| 70:32 | | (The believers) honor their contracts and promises. |
| 70:33 | | They are firm in their testimonies. |
| 70:34 | | They are attentive in worship. |
| 70:35 | | These will be honored in gardens. |
| 70:36 | | [Sarcastically:] What is wrong with the unbelievers that they are making a mad dash before you? |
| 70:37 | | [What is wrong that they come] in crowds, from the right and left? |
| 70:38 | | Does everyone long to enter the garden of bliss? |
| 70:39 | | No! Indeed, We have created them from what they know. |
| 70:40 | | Now I do call to witness the Lord of All Risings and Settings that We can certainly… |
| 70:41 | | …substitute for them better than they. We are not to be defeated. |
| 70:42 | | Leave them to plunge into frivolous talk and silly frolic until they encounter their day promised to them. |
| 70:43 | | On that day, they will proceed from their graves in sudden haste, as if they were rushing to a goalpost. |
| 70:44 | | Their eyes will be downcast, and shame will cover them. Such is the day that they are promised! |
