The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I CALL THIS earth to witness -- 1 And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city - 2 And the parent and the offspring, 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 4 Does he think that none has power over him! 5 (He boasts and shows off) saying, "I have spent a great deal of money (for the cause of God)". 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Did We not make two eyes for him? 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 And shown unto him the two highways? 10 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 11 And what shall make thee understand that which the steep is? 12 It is freeing someone's neck from slavery; 13 or the feeding, upon a day of [one's own] hunger, 14 of an orphaned relative 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 16 And to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity. 17 They are the people of the right hand (and will succeed). 18 And those who disbelieve Our signs - they are the fellows of the lefthand. 19 Fire will be an awning over them. 20