The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 And thou art an indweller of this city - 2 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 3 indeed, We created man in trouble. 4 Does he think that no one can overpower him? 5 He will say: 'I have destroyed a vast 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 guided him on the two paths (of good and evil)? 10 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 11 And what have you understood, what the valley is! 12 To free a neck (from the burden of debt or slavery), 13 Or to feed in times of famine 14 to an orphaned relative 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 These are the People 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 vault them over. 20