The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ Nay! I swear by this city. 1 And you shall be made free from obligation in this city-- 2 and I swear by the parent and his offspring: 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Thinks he that none can overcome him? 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes? 8 a tongue, and two lips? 9 And guide him to the parting of the mountain ways? 10 But he hath not attempted the Ascent - 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) 13 Or the giving of food in a day of hunger 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 or a needy man in misery; 16 And to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity. 17 Those who do so are the people of the right hand, 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 Upon them shall be a Fire that will hem them in. 20