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 by oath of your forefather Ibrahim, and by you – his illustrious son! 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 4 Thinks he that none can overcome him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Does he, then, think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 So he did not quickly enter the steep valley. 11 And what do you know what that difficult steep is? 12 To free a neck (from the burden of debt or slavery), 13 Or the giving of food in a day of hunger 14 to an orphan near of kin; 15 Or to the indigent (down) in the dust. 16 then that he become of those who believe and counsel each other to be steadfast, and counsel each other to be merciful. 17 These are the fellows of the righthand. 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 Upon them shall be a Fire that will hem them in. 20