The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ I CALL THIS earth to witness -- 1 And thou art a freeman of this City;- 2 by the begetter, and that he begot, 3 That We created man in toil and trouble. 4 Thinketh he, that none hath power over him? 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 6 Does man think that no one saw him? 7 Did We not assign unto him two eyes 8 and a tongue, and two lips, 9 and shown him the two highways [of good and evil]? 10 So he did not quickly enter the steep valley. 11 What could let you know what the height is! 12 It is freeing someone's neck from slavery; 13 Or to feed in times of famine 14 an orphaned relative 15 Or a needy person in misery 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 they that have attained to righteousness; 18 But those who deny Our revelations are the people of the left hand: 19 Upon them shall be a Fire that will hem them in. 20