The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 and you are dwelling in this city -- 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 4 Deemest he that none will overpower him? 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Have We not appointed to him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 But he has not attempted the ascent. 11 and what shall teach thee what is the steep? 12 It is the freeing of a slave 13 Or, feeding, in a day of privation, 14 of an orphaned relative 15 Or the poor in distress; 16 and to be one of those who believe and urge one another to steadfastness and compassion. 17 These are the People of the Right Hand. 18 And those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the Companions of the Left Hand; 19 On them is fire closed over. 20