The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 in which you are now living 2 and by parent and offspring, 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Thinks he that none sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 And did We not show him the two highroads (of good and evil)? 10 But he has made no effort to pass on the path that is steep. 11 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 12 (It is) the setting free of a slave, 13 Or feeding on a day of severe hunger 14 To an orphan, having relationship, 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 16 And to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity. 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 be shut over them (i.e. they will be enveloped by the Fire without any opening or window or outlet. 20