The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 and you are dwelling in this city -- 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Does he think then that no one has power over him? 5 saying, 'I have consumed wealth abundant'? 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes? 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 and guided him on the two paths (of good and evil)? 10 But he hath made no haste on the path that is steep. 11 and what shall teach thee what is the steep? 12 It is freeing someone's neck from slavery; 13 Or the giving of food in a day of hunger 14 To an orphan near of kin. 15 Or of a homeless needy person! 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 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20