This is another eschatological Sura closely connected in subject matter with the last one. Patience and the mystery of Time will show the ways that climb to Heaven. Sin and Goodness must each eventually come to its own.
Chronologically it belongs to the late early or early middle Meccan period, possibly soon after Sura 69.
C.250-(Verses 1 to 44)-Man can ascend to the Presence of Allah, but by gradual Ways and in process of Time. But what is Time? A Day is as fifty thousand years, on two different planes. What seems near is far, and what seems far is near. So will be Judgment, when things as we know them will be transformed completely in a world all new. Evil will come to its own, whatever its masks in this transitory world, and good will surly reach its goal. The good life is patient, in prayer and well doing, Faith and the earnest search for the Good Pleasure of Allah, purity and probity. These are the paths to the Heights and the Gardens of Bliss. No evil can enter there: For the evil are other ways, leading by steep descent to dark Ignominy!
70:1 SURA 70. Maarij, or the Ways of Ascent. In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. A questioner asked about a Penalty to befall --
70:2 The Unbelievers, the which there is none to ward off, --
70:3 (A Penalty) from Allah, Lord of the Ways of Ascent.
70:4 The angels and the Spirit ascend unto Him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years:
70:5 Therefore do thou hold Patience, -- a Patience of beautiful (contentment).
70:6 They see the (Day) indeed as a far off (event):
70:7 But We see it (Quite) near.
70:8 The Day that the sky will be like molten brass,
70:9 And the mountains will be like wool,
70:10 And no friend will ask after a friend,
70:11 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,
70:12 His wife and his brother,
70:13 His kindred who sheltered him,
70:14 And all, all that is on earth, -- so it could deliver him:
70:15 By no means! For it would be the Fire of Hell! --
70:16 Plucking out (his being) right to the skull! --
70:17 Inviting (all) such as turn their backs and turn away their faces (from the Right),
70:18 And collect (wealth) and hide it (from use)!
70:19 Truly man was created very impatient; --
70:20 Fretful when evil touches him;
70:21 And niggardly when good reaches him; --
70:22 Not so those devoted to Prayer; --
70:23 Those who remain steadfast to their prayer;
70:24 And those in whose wealth is a recognized right,
70:25 For the (needy) who asks and him who is prevented (for some reason from asking);
70:26 And those who hold to the truth of the Day of Judgment;
70:27 And those who fear the displeasure of their Lord, --
70:28 For their Lord's displeasure is the opposite of Peace and Tranquilly; --
70:29 And those who guard their chastity,
70:30 Except with their wives and the (captives) whom their right hands possess, -- for (then) they are not to be blamed,
70:31 But those who trespass beyond this are transgressors; --
70:32 And those who respect their trusts and covenants;
70:33 And those who stand firm in their testimonies;
70:34 And those who guard (the sacredness) of their worship; --
70:35 Such will be the honored ones in the Gardens (of Bliss).
70:36 Section 2. Now what is the matter with the Unbelievers that they rush madly before thee --
70:37 From the right and from the left, in crowds?
70:38 Does every man of them long to enter the Garden of Bliss?
70:39 By no means! For We have created them out of the (base matter) they know!
70:40 Now I do call to witness the Lord of all points in the East and the West that We can certainly --
70:41 Substitute for them better (men) than they; and We are not to be defeated (in Our Plan).
70:42 So leave them to plunge in vain talk and play about, until they encounter that Day of theirs which they have been promised! --
70:43 The Day whereon they will issue from their sepulchres in sudden haste as if they were rushing to a goalpost (fixed for them), --
70:44 Their eyes lowered in dejection, -- ignominy covering them (all over)! Such is the Day the which they are promised!
