The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Nay, I swear by this city - 1 And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city - 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 Certainly We have created man to be in distress. 4 Does he think then that no one has power over him? 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 6 Deemest he that none beholdeth him? 7 Did We not make two eyes for him? 8 a tongue, and two lips? 9 And have shown him the two ways? 10 Yet, he has not entered into Aqaba 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 It is freeing someone's neck from slavery; 13 the giving of food upon the day of hunger 14 to an orphaned relative 15 Or a needy person 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 disbelieve Our revelations, their place will be on the left hand. 19 On them is fire closed over. 20