70:1  A questioner asked about a definite punishment

70:2  for the disbelievers. There is no one to ward it off.

70:3  [A punishment] from Allah, Owner of the steps of ascent

70:4  Unto HIM do the Angels and the Spirit ascend on a day whose measure is fifty thousand periods [of measure]

70:5  So, persevere— with beautiful perseverance

70:6  Surely, they do see [that day] far away,

70:7  While WE see it near

70:8  The day when the sky will be like molten ore,

70:9  and the mountains like wool.

70:10  And a pal shall not ask of a pal—

70:11  within their sights they will be set. The flouter of divine guidance will wish to offer his children, if he could ransom his way out from the punishment of that day,

70:12  and his mate and his brother

70:13  and his kindred who shelter him

70:14  and whoever else on earth, all of them, and then some more to save him.

70:15  Not by any means. Verily, it is a flame ablaze—

70:16  a peeler for the exteriors—

70:17  It will call him who showed his back and turned away.

70:18  and accumulated and then hoarded.

70:19  Verily, man was created insecure—

70:20  When ill grazes him, he is in panic,

70:21  And when good grazes him, he is one who withholds—

70:22  Except the ones engaged in prayer

70:23  Those who are constant in their prayers

70:24  and those in whose wealth is a known [and acknowledged] right

70:25  for the beggar and the dispossessed.

70:26  and those who affirmatively believe in the Day of Surrender and Reckoning,

70:27  and those in dread of the chastisement of their Rabb—

70:28  for indeed, the chastisement of their Rabb is without exemption—

70:29  and those who in regard to their modesty are ever guarding,

70:30  except as it relates to their spouses and those whom their right hands have possessed. For indeed then, they do not incur blame.

70:31  And so, whoever seeks beyond that— those are the transgressors.

70:32  And [secure are] those who tend to their trusts and their promise,

70:33  and those who are ever upright in their testimonies,

70:34  and those who are conscientious about their prayers.

70:35  Those [belong] in gardens, ever honored.

70:36  So, what is with the ones who have disbelieved, dashing toward you?

70:37  from the right and from the left, grouped by pedigree

70:38  Does every individual among them desire that he be admitted in a garden of bliss?

70:39  By no means! WE have indeed created them from that which they know—

70:40  Nay [that from which man is created is not exalted in itself]. I swear by the Rabb of the risings and the settings: WE are the One with sole and almighty control

70:41  over OUR replacing them with better than them and WE are not to be outpaced.

70:42  So, leave them to indulge in talk and play until they face their day which they have been promised,

70:43  A day they are to come out of their repositories promptly, as if they were racing to a goal.

70:44  Their eyes lowered, shame overwhelming them. That is the Day which they were promised.