What is Islam

AL MA`ARIJ (The Ways of Ascent).

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

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Explination of the Surah

Name The Surah takes its name from the word dhil Ma`aarij in verse 3. Period of Revelation The subject matter bears evidence that this Surah too was sent down in conditions closely resembling those under which Surah Al Haaqqah was sent down. Theme and Subject Matter It admonishes and gives warning to the disbelievers who made fun of the news about Resurrection and the Hereafter, and Hell and Heaven, and challenged the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) to cause Resurrection with which he threatened them to take place if what he said was true and they had become worthy of the punishment in Hell by denying it. The whole Surah is meant to answer this denial. The Surah opens with words to the effect: "A demander has demanded a torment, the torment which must befall the deniers; and when it takes place, there will be none to prevent it, but it will take place at its own appointed time. Allah has His own way of doing things, but He is not unjust. Therefore, have patience, O Prophet, at what they say. They think it is far off, but We see it as near at hand. " Then it is said: "Resurrection, which they desire to be hastened out of jest and fun, is terrible, and when it comes, it will cause great distress to the culprits. At that time they will even be prepared to give away their wives and children and their nearest kinsfolk in ransom to escape the punishment, but they will not be able to escape it. Then the people have been warned to the effect; "On that Day the destinies of men will be decided strictly on the basis of their belief and their conduct. Those who turn away from the Truth in the world and amass wealth and withhold it from the needy, will be doomed to Hell; and those who fear the punishment of God here, believe in the Hereafter, keep up the Prayer, discharge the rights of the needy out of their wealth, strictly avoid immoral and wicked deeds, practice honesty in all their dealings, fulfill their pledges and trust and bear true witness, will have a place of honor in Paradise" In conclusion, the disbelievers of Makkah who rushed in upon the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) from every side as soon as they saw him, in order to make fun of him, have been warned to the effect: "If you do not believe, Allah will replace you by other people who will be better than you", and the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) has been consoled, so as to say: "Do not take to heart their mockery and jesting; leave them to indulge in their idle talk and foolish conduct if they are bent upon experiencing the disgrace and humiliation of the Resurrection; they will themselves see their evil end. "'