The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by this city -- 1 And thou shalt be allowed in yonder city 2 by the begetter, and that he begot, 3 Certainly We have created man to be in distress. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says: "I have wasted a great deal of wealth." 6 Thinks he that none sees him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes? 8 And a tongue and a pair of lips? 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 11 What could let you know what the height is! 12 (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) 13 or the feeding in times of famine 14 to an orphaned relative 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 16 Then he became one of those who believed, and recommended one another to perseverance and patience, and (also) recommended one another to pity 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