The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
۞ NAY! I call to witness this land 1 And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city - 2 and I swear by the parent and his 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 spent wealth in abundance." 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes 8 And a tongue, and a pair of lips?- 9 And guide him to the parting of the mountain ways? 10 But he has not attempted the ascent. 11 And what do you know what that difficult steep is? 12 It is the freeing of a slave 13 Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine), 14 of an orphaned relative 15 or to a destitute lying in dust; 16 And moreover to be of those who accepted faith, and who urged patience to one another and who urged graciousness to one another. 17 Their place will be on the right hand. 18 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 Over them shall be Fire closing round. 20