The Town (Al-Balad)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ I CALL THIS earth to witness -- 1 And you shall be made free from obligation in this city-- 2 and by parent and offspring, 3 Verily We have created man into toil and hardship. 4 Thinketh he, that none hath power over him? 5 He shall say: I have wasted much wealth. 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes 8 a tongue, and two lips? 9 And guide him to the parting of the mountain ways? 10 But he hath made no haste on the path that is steep. 11 And what will make you comprehend what the uphill road is? 12 It is the freeing of a slave 13 Or to feed in times of famine 14 to an orphaned relative 15 Or to the indigent (down) in the dust. 16 Then will he be of those who believe, and enjoin patience, (constancy, and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion. 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 Upon them is a fire, in which they are imprisoned, closed and shut above them. 20