The Town (Al-Balad)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 and you are dwelling in this city -- 2 And [by] the father and that which was born [of him], 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He boasts, "I have spent wealth abundant!" 6 Deemest he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 a tongue, and two lips, 9 and shown him the two paths? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 Would that you knew what Aqaba is! 12 It is the freeing of a slave 13 And to feed in the day of hunger. 14 An orphan near of kin, 15 Or some poor wretch in misery, 16 and being, withal, of those who have attained to faith, and who enjoin upon one another patience in adversity, and enjoin upon one another compassion. 17 Those are the Companions of the Right. 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 Upon them is a fire, in which they are imprisoned, closed and shut above them. 20