The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ Nay, I swear by this city - 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 We have certainly created man into hardship. 4 Deemest he that none will overpower him? 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Did We not give him two eyes, 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 and shown him the two paths? 10 But he has not broken through the difficult pass. 11 And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 or giving food on a day of hunger 14 Of a related orphan, 15 or a needy man in misery; 16 And to be of those who believe, and urge upon one another to persevere, and urge upon each other to be kind. 17 These are the fellows of the righthand. 18 And (as for) those who disbelieve in our communications, they are the people of the left hand. 19 Upon them shall be a Fire that will hem them in. 20