The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I CALL THIS earth to witness -- 1 And thou art a freeman of this City;- 2 And by the giver of birth, and whom he fathered, 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 4 Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? 5 saying, 'I have consumed wealth abundant'? 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes?- 8 a tongue, and two lips, 9 And guide him to the parting of the mountain ways? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) 13 or giving food on a day of hunger 14 to an orphan near of kin 15 Or a poor man cleaving to the dust. 16 so that he becomes one of those who believe, charge each other to be patient, and charge each other to be merciful. 17 These are the people of the right. 18 But those who deny Our revelations are the people of the left hand: 19 On them is fire closed over. 20