The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I CALL THIS earth to witness -- 1 – this city wherein you have been rendered violable– 2 by the begetter, and that he begot, 3 Assuredly We have created man in trouble. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes? 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 And shown him the two ways (good and evil)? 10 But he has not attempted the ascent. 11 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 12 It is the setting free of a slave 13 or the feeding in times of famine 14 To an orphan near of kin. 15 Or to the poor man lying in the dust. 16 Then he became of those who believed and enjoined on each other steadfastness and enjoined on each other compassion. 17 These are the people of the right. 18 But those who disbelieve Our revelations, their place will be on the left hand. 19 On them is fire closed over. 20