The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
۞ I do call to witness this City;- 1 And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city - 2 And the parent and the offspring, 3 that We have created man into a life of toil and trial. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says (boastfully): "I have wasted wealth in abundance!" 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Did We not give him two eyes, 8 and a tongue and two lips? 9 And pointed out to him the two conspicuous ways? 10 Yet he has not scaled the height. 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 (It is) to free a slave, 13 or giving food upon a day of hunger 14 To the orphan with claims of relationship, 15 or to a needy person in distress; 16 then that he become of those who believe and counsel each other to be steadfast, and counsel each other to be merciful. 17 These are the fellows of the righthand. 18 But those who disbelieved in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), they are those on the Left Hand (the dwellers of Hell). 19 with the Fire closed above them. 20