The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
۞ I swear by this city -- 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 And the begetter and that which he begat, 3 We verily have created man in an atmosphere: 4 Does he, then, think that no one has power over him? 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and a pair of lips? 9 And guide him to the parting of the mountain ways? 10 But he has not broken through the difficult pass. 11 And what could make thee conceive what it is, that steep uphill road? 12 (It is:) freeing the bondman; 13 Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine), 14 An orphan near of kin, 15 or a needy man in misery; 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 fellows of the righthand. 18 But those who deny Our revelations are the people of the left hand: 19 Over them shall be Fire closing round. 20