The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 – this city wherein you have been rendered violable– 2 or by the great father and his wonderful son (Abraham and Ishmael) 3 indeed, We created man in trouble. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 And he saith: I have destroyed vast wealth: 6 Does he, then, think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes? 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 And have shown him the two 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, feeding, in a day of privation, 14 to an orphaned relative 15 or of a needy [stranger] lying in 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 hand. 18 But those who disbelieve in Our verses, they are the Companions of the Left, 19 On them will be Fire vaulted over (all round). 20