Quran Chapter 70: Surah Al-Ma'arij (The Ascending Stairways) English Translation

(70:1) A beseecher besought the visitation of chastisement, (70:2) (a chastisement meant) for the unbelievers, one which none can avert; (70:3) a chastisement from Allah, the Lord of the ascending steps, (70:4) by which the angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in one Day the duration of which is fifty thousand years. (70:5) So, (O Prophet), persevere with gracious perseverance. (70:6) Verily they think that the chastisement is far off, (70:7) while We think that it is near at hand. (70:8) It shall befall on a Day whereon the sky will become like molten brass, (70:9) and the mountains will become like dyed tufts of wool, (70:10) and no bosom friend will enquire about any of his bosom friends (70:11) although they shall be within sight of one another. The guilty one would fain ransom himself from the torment of that Day by offering his children, (70:12) and his spouse and his brother, (70:13) and his kinsfolk who had stood by him, (70:14) and all persons of the earth, if only he could thus save himself. (70:15) By no means! It will be the fierce flame (70:16) that will strip off the scalp. (70:17) It shall insistently summon him who turned his back and retreated, (70:18) and amassed wealth and covetously hoarded it. (70:19) Verily man is impatient by nature: (70:20) bewailing when evil befalls him, (70:21) and tight-fisted when good fortune visits him, (70:22) except those that pray, (70:23) and are constant in their Prayer; (70:24) and those in whose wealth there is a known right (70:25) for those that ask and those that are dispossessed, (70:26) those who firmly believe in the Day of Recompense, (70:27) and fear the chastisement of their Lord– (70:28) surely the chastisement of their Lord is a thing none can feel secure from – (70:29) and those who guard their private parts, (70:30) except in regard to their spouses and those whom their right hands possess, for in regard to them they are not reproachable, (70:31) but any who seeks to go beyond that, it is indeed they who are the transgressors, (70:32) and those who fulfil their trusts and their covenants, (70:33) and those who are upright in their testimonies; (70:34) and who take due care of their Prayer: (70:35) all these shall live honourably in the Gardens. (70:36) But what is the matter with the unbelievers who are hurrying towards you (70:37) in crowds, both on the right and on the left? (70:38) Does everyone of them wish to enter the Garden of Bliss? (70:39) By no means! They know that which We have created them from. (70:40) I swear by the Lord of the easts and the wests that We have the power (70:41) to replace them by others who would be better than they; and We shall certainly not be overpowered. (70:42) So leave them to engage in vain talk and to amuse themselves until they come face to face with the Day which they are promised, (70:43) the Day on which they will hastily come forth from their graves, as though they were hurrying on to the altars of their deities. (70:44) Their eyes will be downcast and disgrace will overwhelm them. Such is the Day that they were promised.