Revealed in Makkah, Surah Al-Ma'arij (The Ascending Stairways) opens with a question about the impending punishment of the disbelievers, describing the Day of Judgment as a day lasting fifty thousand years. It outlines the impatient, anxious nature of the human soul—panic-stricken in times of difficulty and hoarding in times of ease—contrasting it with the steadfastness of those who guard their prayers, wealth, and chastity.
Transliteration
Saala sailun biAAathabin waqiAAin
Translation
A questioner questioned the imminent torment
Transliteration
Lilkafireena laysa lahu dafiAAun
Translation
For the disbelievers; none can repel it
Transliteration
Mina Allahi thee almaAAariji
Translation
From God, Lord of the Ways of Ascent
Transliteration
TaAAruju almalaikatu waalrroohu ilayhi fee yawmin kana miqdaruhu khamseena alfa sanatin
Translation
Unto Him the angels and the Spirit ascend on a Day the duration of which is fifty thousand years
Transliteration
Faisbir sabran jameelan
Translation
So be patient, with sweet patience
Transliteration
Innahum yarawnahu baAAeedan
Translation
They see it distant
Transliteration
Wanarahu qareeban
Translation
But We see it near
Transliteration
Yawma takoonu alssamao kaalmuhli
Translation
On the Day when the sky will be like molten brass
Transliteration
Watakoonu aljibalu kaalAAihni
Translation
And the mountains will be like tufted wool
Transliteration
Wala yasalu hameemun hameeman
Translation
No friend will care about his friend
Transliteration
Yubassaroonahum yawaddu almujrimu law yaftadee min AAathabi yawmiithin bibaneehi
Translation
They will be shown each other. The criminal wishes he would be redeemed from the punishment of that Day by his children
Transliteration
Wasahibatihi waakheehi
Translation
And his spouse, and his brother
Transliteration
Wafaseelatihi allatee tuweehi
Translation
And his family that sheltered him
Transliteration
Waman fee alardi jameeAAan thumma yunjeehi
Translation
And everyone on earth, in order to save him
Transliteration
Kalla innaha latha
Translation
By no means! It is a Raging Fire
Transliteration
NazzaAAatan lilshshawa
Translation
It strips away the scalps
Transliteration
TadAAoo man adbara watawalla
Translation
It invites him who once turned his back and fled
Transliteration
WajamaAAa faawAAa
Translation
And accumulated and hoarded
Transliteration
Inna alinsana khuliqa halooAAan
Translation
Man was created restless
Transliteration
Itha massahu alshsharru jazooAAan
Translation
Touched by adversity, he is fretful