The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ I swear by yonder city 1 And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city - 2 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 3 Assuredly We have created man in trouble. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says (boastfully): "I have wasted wealth in abundance!" 6 Does he think that no one 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 ways (good and evil)? 10 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 11 And what do you know what that difficult steep is? 12 It is the freeing of a slave 13 Or the giving of food in a day of privation 14 of an orphan near of kin, 15 Or some poor wretch in misery, 16 And moreover to be of those who accepted faith, and who urged patience to one another and who urged graciousness to one another. 17 Those who do so 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 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20