The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
۞ I swear by this city -- 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 that We have created the human being to face a great deal of hardship. 4 Thinketh he that none hath power over him? 5 He will say: 'I have destroyed a vast wealth' 6 Does he, then, think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 And shown unto him the two highways? 10 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 11 And what have you understood, what the valley is! 12 (It is) to free a slave, 13 And to feed in the day of hunger. 14 The orphan near in relationship, 15 Or a poor man cleaving to the dust. 16 And to be of those who believe, and urge upon one another to persevere, and urge upon each other to be kind. 17 Those who do so are the people of the right hand, 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 Over them will be fire closed in. 20