The Koran

The Ways of Ascent

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

[70.1] One demanding, demanded the chastisement which must befall
[70.2] The unbelievers-- there is none to avert it--
[70.3] From Allah, the 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] Therefore endure with a goodly patience.
[70.6] Surely they think it to be far off,
[70.7] And We see it nigh.
[70.8] On the day when the heaven shall be as molten copper
[70.9] And the mountains shall be as tufts of wool
[70.10] And friend shall not ask of friend
[70.11] (Though) they shall be made to see each other. The guilty one would fain redeem himself from the chastisement of that day by (sacrificing) his children,
[70.12] And his wife and his brother
[70.13] And the nearest of his kinsfolk who gave him shelter,
[70.14] And all those that are in the earth, (wishing) then (that) this might deliver him.
[70.15] By no means! Surely it is a flaming fire
[70.16] Dragging by the head,
[70.17] It shall claim him who turned and fled (from truth),
[70.18] And amasses (wealth) then shuts it up.
[70.19] Surely man is created of a hasty temperament
[70.20] Being greatly grieved when evil afflicts him
[70.21] And niggardly when good befalls him
[70.22] Except those who pray,
[70.23] Those who are constant at their prayer
[70.24] And those in whose wealth there is a fixed portion.
[70.25] For him who begs and for him who is denied (good)
[70.26] And those who accept the truth of the judgment day
[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 of--
[70.29] And those who guard their private parts,
[70.30] Except in the case of their wives or those whom their right hands possess-- for these surely are not to be blamed,
[70.31] But he who seeks to go beyond this, these it is that go beyond the limits--
[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] Those shall be in gardens, honored.
[70.36] But what is the matter with those who disbelieve that they hasten on around you,
[70.37] On the right hand and on the left, in sundry parties?
[70.38] Does every man of them desire that he should be made to enter the garden of bliss?
[70.39] By no means! Surely We have created them of what they know.
[70.40] But nay! I swear by the Lord of the Easts and the Wests that We are certainly able
[70.41] To bring instead (others) better than them, and We shall not be overcome.
[70.42] Therefore leave them alone to go on with the false discourses and to sport until they come face to face with that day of theirs with which they are threatened;
[70.43] The day on which they shall come forth from their graves in haste, as if they were hastening on to a goal,
[70.44] Their eyes cast down; disgrace shall overtake them; that is the day which they were threatened with.