070 Al-Ma'aarij

upon the disbelievers, which none can avert,

from Allah, Lord of the pathways of ascent,

by which the angels and the Spirit[2] will ascend to Him on a Day[3] the length of which is fifty thousand years.

Translation notes: [2] i.e., the angel Gabriel. [3] The Day of Judgment will be an extremely long day.

So be patient [O Prophet] with beautiful patience.

Indeed, they see this [punishment] far off,

but We see it to be close at hand.

On the Day when the sky will be like molten brass[4]

Translation notes: [4] Or "murky oil."

and the mountains will be like dyed wool[5],

Translation notes: [5] While disintegrating.

and no close friend will ask about another,

even though they will see one another. The wicked will wish he could ransom himself from the punishment of that Day by offering his children,

and his wife and his brother,

and his kindred who stood by him,

and everyone on earth, just to save himself.

By no means![6] It is a raging Flame,

Translation notes: [6] An emphatic denial, meaning "It will never be."

that will strip off the scalps[7].

Translation notes: [7] Referring to the skin of the head or of the body extremities, which will be burned away by severe heat and flames.

It will call everyone who turned their backs and disobeyed,

and amassed and hoarded wealth.

Indeed, man was created impatient:

when evil befalls him, he bewails,

but when good fortune comes his way, he becomes tight-fisted –

except those who pray,

who are steadfast in their prayers;

and who give a due share[8] of their wealth

Translation notes: [8] i.e., obligatory charity; zakah.

to the beggar and the dispossessed;

and who firmly believe in the Day of Judgment;

and those who fear the punishment of their Lord –

for none can feel secure from their Lord’s punishment –

and those who guard their private parts[9],

Translation notes: [9] i.e., their chastity and honor from immoralities.

except from their wives or bondwomen[10] whom they own, for then they are not to be blamed.

Translation notes: [10] i.e., female slaves or slave-girls.

But whoever seeks beyond that, it is they who are the transgressors.

and those who fulfill their trusts and pledges;

and who are upright in their testimonies;

and who take due care of their prayers;

they will be honored in gardens[11].

Translation notes: [11] Of Paradise.

What is the matter with the disbelievers that they are rushing towards you [O Prophet][12],

Translation notes: [12] i.e., rushing to deny you.

from the right and from the left, in crowds[13]?

Translation notes: [13] Some pagans of Makkah gathered around the Prophet (ﷺ) mocking and opposing him, claiming that if there is in fact a Hereafter, they would enter Paradise before the believers.

Does everyone of them aspire to enter a garden of bliss?

By no means! We have created them from what they know[14].

Translation notes: [14] i.e., from a disdained fluid.

I swear by the Lord of the sunrises and sunsets[15] that We are surely Capable

Translation notes: [15] i.e., Allah is the One Who determines the daily points of sunrise and sunset according to each season by the rotation of the earth around its axis.

to replace them with others better than them, and none can escape Our decree.

So leave them to engage in their falsehood and amuse themselves until they meet their Day which they are promised;

the Day when they will rush out of their graves as if they are racing towards an idol[16],

Translation notes: [16] i.e., just as they used to race towards a newly appointed idol, to be among the first of its worshipers.

with their eyes downcast and overwhelmed with disgrace. That is the Day that they were promised.