1A questioner asked about a Penalty to befall- 2The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off,- 3(A Penalty) from Allah, Lord of the Ways of Ascent. 4The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years: 5Therefore do thou hold Patience,- a Patience of beautiful (contentment). 6They see the (Day) indeed as a far-off (event): 7But We see it (quite) near. 8The Day that the sky will be like molten brass, 9And the mountains will be like wool, 10And no friend will ask after a friend, 11Though they will be put in sight of each other,- the sinner´s desire will be: Would that he could redeem himself from the Penalty of that Day by (sacrificing) his children, 12His wife and his brother, 13His kindred who sheltered him, 14And all, all that is on earth,- so it could deliver him: 15By no means! for it would be the Fire of Hell!- 16Plucking out (his being) right to the skull!- 17Inviting (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from the Right). 18And collect (wealth) and hide it (from use)! 19Truly man was created very impatient;- 20Fretful when evil touches him; 21And niggardly when good reaches him;- 22Not so those devoted to Prayer;- 23Those who remain steadfast to their prayer; 24And those in whose wealth is a recognised right. 25For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking); 26And those who hold to the truth of the Day of Judgment; 27And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord,- 28For their Lord´s displeasure is the opposite of Peace and Tranquillity;- 29And those who guard their chastity, 30Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (then) they are not to be blamed, 31But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors;- 32And those who respect their trusts and covenants; 33And those who stand firm in their testimonies; 34And those who guard (the sacredness) of their worship;- 35Such will be the honoured ones in the Gardens (of Bliss). 36Now what is the matter with the Unbelievers that they rush madly before thee- 37From the right and from the left, in crowds? 38Does every man of them long to enter the Garden of Bliss? 39By no means! For We have created them out of the (base matter) they know! 40Now I do call to witness the Lord of all points in the East and the West that We can certainly- 41Substitute for them better (men) than they; And We are not to be defeated (in Our Plan). 42So leave them to plunge in vain talk and play about, until they encounter that Day of theirs which they have been promised!- 43The Day whereon they will issue from their sepulchres in sudden haste as if they were rushing to a goal-post (fixed for them),- 44Their eyes lowered in dejection,- ignominy covering them (all over)! such is the Day the which they are promised!