The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 And the begetter and that which he begat, 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Thinketh he that none hath power over him? 5 And he saith: I have destroyed vast wealth: 6 Does man think that no one saw him? 7 Did We not assign unto 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 would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 And what will make you know the path that is steep? 12 The freeing of a slave! 13 or, in a day of famine, the feeding of 14 To an orphan near of kin. 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 16 Then will he be of those who believe, and enjoin patience, (constancy, and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion. 17 They are those on the Right Hand (the dwellers of Paradise), 18 As for those who rejected Our Signs, they are the People of the Left Hand. 19 The Fire will vault them over. 20