The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ NAY! I call to witness this land 1 – this city wherein you have been rendered violable– 2 And the begetter and that which he begat, 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 4 Does he think that no one can overpower him? 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 Does he then think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 And pointed out to him the two conspicuous ways? 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) to free a slave, 13 or the feeding in times of famine 14 An orphan near of kin, 15 Or some poor wretch in misery, 16 Then he became of those who believed and enjoined on each other steadfastness and enjoined on each other compassion. 17 Those are the companions of the right. 18 And those who denied Our signs, are the people of the left. 19 over them is a Fire covered down. 20