The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
۞ I swear by this city -- 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 and by parent and offspring, 3 Verily We have created man into toil and hardship. 4 Does he think that none has power over him! 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 6 Does he, then, think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes?- 8 a tongue, and two lips, 9 Have We not shown him the ways of good and evil? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 And what will explain to thee the path that is steep?- 12 It is the freeing of a slave; 13 or the feeding, upon a day of [one's own] hunger, 14 An orphan near of kin, 15 Or to the poor man lying in the dust. 16 And to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity. 17 These are the people of the right. 18 And those who disbelieve Our signs - they are the fellows of the lefthand. 19 Over them shall be Fire closing round. 20