The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city. 1 And thou shalt be allowed in yonder city 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 that We have created the human being to face a great deal of hardship. 4 Does he think that no one can overpower him? 5 He will say: 'I have destroyed a vast wealth' 6 Does he think that none has observed him? 7 Have We not given 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 can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? 12 (It is) the freeing of a slave, 13 or the feeding in times of famine 14 of an orphaned relative 15 or to a destitute lying in dust; 16 and, then besides this, he be one of those who believed, and enjoined upon one another steadfastness and enjoined upon one another compassion. 17 Such are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 And those who denied Our signs, are the people of the left. 19 Over them will be fire closed in. 20