The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 And you shall be made free from obligation in this city-- 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 Certainly We have created man to be in distress. 4 Thinks he that none can overcome him? 5 He saith: I have wasted riches plenteous. 6 Thinks he that none sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 a tongue, and two lips, 9 and shown him the two highways [of good and evil]? 10 But he could not scale the steep ascent. 11 and what shall teach thee what is the steep? 12 To free a neck (from the burden of debt or slavery), 13 Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine), 14 of an orphaned relative 15 or to a destitute lying in dust; 16 Then he became one of those who believed, and recommended one another to perseverance and patience, and (also) recommended one another to pity and compassion. 17 These are the People of the Right Hand. 18 And those who denied Our signs, are the people of the left. 19 Fire will be an awning over them. 20