The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 or by the great father and his wonderful son (Abraham and Ishmael) 3 We verily have created man in an atmosphere: 4 Does man think that no one will ever have power over him? 5 He shall say: I have wasted much wealth. 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Did We not give him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 So he did not quickly enter the steep valley. 11 And what shall make thee understand that which the steep is? 12 It is the setting free of a slave 13 Or the giving of food in a day of hunger 14 an orphaned relative 15 Or a poor man cleaving to the dust. 16 and, then besides this, he be one of those who believed, and enjoined upon one another steadfastness and enjoined upon one another compassion. 17 Such are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 And (as for) those who disbelieve in our communications, they are the people of the left hand. 19 The Fire will be shut over them (i.e. they will be enveloped by the Fire without any opening or window or outlet. 20