The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
۞ NAY! I call to witness this land 1 and you are a lodger in this country. 2 And (the mystic ties of) parent and child;- 3 that We have created man into a life of toil and trial. 4 Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? 5 He will say: 'I have destroyed a vast wealth' 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes? 8 and a tongue, and two lips, 9 And shown him the two highways? 10 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 To free a neck (from the burden of debt or slavery), 13 Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine), 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 or of a needy [stranger] lying in the dust 16 And to be of those who believe, and urge upon one another to persevere, and urge upon each other to be kind. 17 These are the people of the right. 18 And (as for) those who disbelieve in our communications, they are the people of the left hand. 19 with the Fire closed above them. 20