The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city. 1 – this city wherein you have been rendered violable– 2 And (the mystic ties of) parent and child;- 3 Certainly We have created man to be in distress. 4 Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 Does he, then, think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes? 8 and a tongue and two lips? 9 and shown him the two paths? 10 But he did not venture to scale the difficult steep. 11 And what do you know what that difficult steep is? 12 (It is:) freeing the bondman; 13 Or the giving of food in a day of privation 14 To the orphan with claims of relationship, 15 or to a destitute lying in dust; 16 And to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 The Fire will vault them over. 20