The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 and you are dwelling in this city -- 2 And by oath of your forefather Ibrahim, and by you – his illustrious son! 3 We created the human in fatigue. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says, "I have spent wealth in abundance." 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Did We not assign unto him two eyes 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 And pointed out to him the two conspicuous ways? 10 But he could not scale the steep ascent. 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 It is the setting free of a slave 13 or giving food on a day of hunger 14 To an orphan, having relationship, 15 or some needy person in distress, 16 And to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity. 17 These are the fellows of the righthand. 18 As for those who rejected Our Signs, they are the People of the Left Hand. 19 On them will be Fire vaulted over (all round). 20