The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I CALL THIS earth to witness -- 1 And thou art a freeman of this City;- 2 or by the great father and his wonderful son (Abraham and Ishmael) 3 That We created man in toil and trouble. 4 Thinks he that none can overcome him? 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 6 Thinks he that none sees him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes?- 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 and shown him the two paths? 10 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 11 What could let you know what the height is! 12 It is freeing someone's neck from slavery; 13 Or feeding on a day of severe hunger 14 of an orphaned relative 15 Or a poor man cleaving to the dust. 16 and, then besides this, he be one of those who believed, and enjoined upon one another steadfastness and enjoined upon one another compassion. 17 Those are the Companions of the Right. 18 And those who denied Our signs, are the people of the left. 19 Fire will be an awning over them. 20