The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ I swear by yonder city 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 And [by] the father and that which was born [of him], 3 We have indeed created man surrounded by hardships. 4 Does he think that no one can overpower him? 5 saying, 'I have consumed wealth abundant'? 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not appointed to him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And did We not guide him to the two elevated things? 10 Yet he has not assaulted the steep; 11 What could let you know what the height is! 12 (It is) to free a slave, 13 or, in a day of famine, the feeding of 14 to an orphaned relative 15 Or to the poor man lying in the dust. 16 Then he is of those who believe and charge one another to show patience, and charge one another to show compassion. 17 These are the people of the right. 18 But those who deny Our revelations are the people of the left hand: 19 The Fire will vault them over. 20