The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by yonder city 1 – this city wherein you have been rendered violable– 2 And by oath of your forefather Ibrahim, and by you – his illustrious son! 3 We have indeed created man surrounded by hardships. 4 Does man think that no one will ever have power over him? 5 He says (boastfully): "I have wasted wealth in abundance!" 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Did We not give him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 And did We not show him the two highroads (of good and evil)? 10 But he has made no effort to pass on the path that is steep. 11 And what shall make thee understand that which the steep is? 12 It is the freeing of a slave 13 Or the giving of food in a day of hunger 14 to an orphan near of kin 15 or some needy person in distress, 16 Then he became of those who believed and enjoined on each other steadfastness and enjoined on each other compassion. 17 Those are the Companions of the Right. 18 But those who disbelieved in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), they are those on the Left Hand (the dwellers of Hell). 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