The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city. 1 And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city - 2 and by parent and offspring, 3 that We have created man into a life of toil and trial. 4 Thinketh he that none hath power over him? 5 He boasts, "I have spent wealth abundant!" 6 Does man think that no one saw him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes 8 And a tongue and a pair of lips? 9 And did We not show him the two highroads (of good and evil)? 10 Yet he attempteth not the steep, 11 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 12 To free a neck (from the burden of debt or slavery), 13 or, in a day of famine, the feeding of 14 an orphaned relative 15 or a needy man in misery; 16 And moreover to be of those who accepted faith, and who urged patience to one another and who urged graciousness to one another. 17 Such are they that have attained to righteousness; 18 But they who disbelieved in Our signs - those are the companions of the left. 19 On them will be Fire vaulted over (all round). 20