The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I CALL THIS earth to witness -- 1 and you are a lodger in this country. 2 And by the giver of birth, and whom he fathered, 3 We have certainly created man into hardship. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says: "I have wasted a great deal of wealth." 6 Does he think that none has observed him? 7 Have We not appointed to him two eyes, 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 and shown him the two highways [of good and evil]? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 And what could make thee conceive what it is, that steep uphill road? 12 (It is) the setting free of a slave, 13 the giving of food upon the day of hunger 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 or to a destitute lying in dust; 16 And to be of those who believe, and urge upon one another to persevere, and urge upon each other to be kind. 17 Such are they that have attained to righteousness; 18 And those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the Companions of the Left Hand; 19 On them is fire closed over. 20