The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
۞ I do call to witness this City;- 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 Assuredly We have created man in trouble. 4 Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue, and a pair of lips?- 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? 12 (It is) the setting free of a slave, 13 Or feeding on a day of severe hunger 14 An orphan near of kin, 15 or some needy person in distress, 16 and, then besides this, he be one of those who believed, and enjoined upon one another steadfastness and enjoined upon one another compassion. 17 These are the People of the Right Hand. 18 And those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the Companions of the Left Hand; 19 Over them will be fire closed in. 20