The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 – this city wherein you have been rendered violable– 2 And the begetter and that which he begat, 3 Assuredly We have created man in trouble. 4 Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? 5 He says, "I have spent wealth in abundance." 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 And did We not guide him to the two elevated things? 10 Yet he attempteth not the steep, 11 And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? 12 It is freeing someone's neck from slavery; 13 Or, feeding, in a day of privation, 14 An orphan near of kin, 15 Or to the poor man lying in the dust. 16 and, then besides this, he be one of those who believed, and enjoined upon one another steadfastness and enjoined upon one another compassion. 17 They are the people of the right hand and will succeed. 18 But those who disbelieve Our revelations, their place will be on the left hand. 19 and the Fire will close in on them. 20