The Holy Quran

CHAPTER 70

Al-Ma’arij: THE WAYS OF ASCENT

SECTION 1: Certainty of the Punishment

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

70:1 A questioner asks about the chastisement to befall

70:2 The disbelievers -- there is none to avert it --

70:3 From Allah, Lord of the ways of Ascent.

70:4 To Him ascend the angels and the Spirit in a day the measure of which is fifty thousand years.

70:5 So be patient with a goodly patience.

70:6 Surely they see it far off,

70:7 And We see it nigh.

70:8 The day when the heaven is as molten brass,

70:9 And the mountains are as wool;

70:10 And no friend will ask of friend,

70:11 (Though) they are made to see them. The guilty one would fain redeem himself from the chastisement of that day by his children,

70:12 And his wife and his brother,

70:13 And his kin that gave him shelter,

70:14 And all that are in the earth -- then deliver him --

70:15 By no means! Surely it is a flaming Fire,

70:16 Plucking out the extremities --

70:17 It shall claim him who retreats and turns his back,

70:18 And hoards then withholds.

70:19 Surely man is created impatient --

70:20 Fretful when evil afflicts him,

70:21 And niggardly when good befalls him --

70:22 Except those who pray,

70:23 Who are constant at their prayer,

70:24 And in whose wealth there is a known right

70:25 For the beggar and the destitute,

70:26 And those who accept the truth of the day of Judgment:

70:27 And those who are fearful of the chastisement of their Lord --

70:28 Surely the chastisement of their Lord is (a thing) not to be felt secure from --

70:29 And those who restrain their sexual passions,

70:30 Except in the presence of their mates or those whom their right hands possess -- for such surely are not to be blamed,

70:31 But he who seeks to go beyond this, these are the transgressors.

70:32 And those who are faithful to their trusts and their covenant,

70:33 And those who are upright in their testimonies,

70:34 And those who keep a guard on their prayer.

70:35 These are in Gardens, honoured.

SECTION 2: A New Nation to be raised up

70:36 But what is the matter with those who disbelieve, that they hasten on to thee,

70:37 On the right hand and on the left, in sundry parties?

70:38 Does every man of them desire to be admitted to the Garden of bliss?

70:39 By no means! Surely We have created them for what they know.

70:40 But nay! I swear by the Lord of the Eastern lands and the Western lands! that We are certainly Powerful

70:41 To bring in their place (others) better than them, and We shall not be overcome.

70:42 So leave them alone to plunge in vain talk and to sport, until they come face to face with that day of theirs which they are promised --

70:43 The day when they come forth from the graves in haste, as hastening on to a goal,

70:44 Their eyes cast down, disgrace covering them. Such is the day which they are promised.