The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ NAY! I call to witness this land 1 And you shall be made free from obligation in this city-- 2 And by oath of your forefather Ibrahim, and by you – his illustrious son! 3 We created the human in fatigue. 4 Does he, then, think that no one has power over him? 5 He shall say: I have wasted much wealth. 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Did We not make two eyes for him? 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 and shown him the two paths? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 or giving food on a day of hunger 14 The orphan near in relationship, 15 Or to the indigent (down) in the dust. 16 and being, withal, of those who have attained to faith, and who enjoin upon one another patience in adversity, and enjoin upon one another compassion. 17 Those are the companions of the right. 18 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 and the Fire will close in on them. 20