The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
۞ Nay, I swear by this city - 1 and you are a lodger in this country. 2 And by the giver of birth, and whom he fathered, 3 that We have created man into a life of toil and trial. 4 Does he think then that no one has power over him? 5 He shall say: I have wasted much wealth. 6 Thinks he that none sees him? 7 Have We not appointed to him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 Yet he has not assaulted the steep; 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 Or the giving of food in a day of privation 14 to an orphaned relative 15 or to a destitute lying in dust; 16 Then will he be of those who believe, and enjoin patience, (constancy, and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 But those who disbelieve in Our verses, they are the Companions of the Left, 19 with the Fire closed above them. 20