The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
۞ I swear by yonder city 1 and you are a lodger in this country. 2 And by the begetter and that which he begat, 3 We have certainly created man into hardship. 4 Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? 5 (He boasts and shows off) saying, "I have spent a great deal of money (for the cause of God)". 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and two lips, 9 and shown him the two paths? 10 Yet he attempteth not the steep, 11 And what will explain to thee the path that is steep?- 12 The freeing of a slave! 13 Or the giving of food in a day of hunger 14 Of a related orphan, 15 or a needy man in misery; 16 Then he is of those who believe and charge one another to show patience, and charge one another to show compassion. 17 Those are the Companions of the Right. 18 whereas those who are bent on denying the truth of Our messages - they are such as have lost themselves in evil, 19 On them will be Fire vaulted over (all round). 20