The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ No! I swear by this land, 1 And you shall be made free from obligation in this city-- 2 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 3 We have certainly created man into hardship. 4 What, does he think none has power over him, 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Did We not assign unto him two eyes 8 And a tongue and a pair of lips? 9 and shown him the two highways [of good and evil]? 10 Yet, he has not entered into Aqaba 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 It is the setting free of a slave 13 or the feeding, upon a day of [one's own] hunger, 14 to an orphaned relative 15 or to a destitute lying in dust; 16 the believers who cooperate with others in patience (steadfastness) and kindness. 17 Those are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 The Fire will vault them over. 20