The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Nay, I swear by this city - 1 and you are dwelling in this city -- 2 or by the great father and his wonderful son (Abraham and Ishmael) 3 That We created man in toil and trouble. 4 Thinketh he, that none hath power over him? 5 He shall say: I have wasted much wealth. 6 Thinks he that none sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 a tongue, and two lips? 9 and guided him on the two paths (of good and evil)? 10 But he could not scale the steep ascent. 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 (It is) the freeing of a slave, 13 the giving of food upon the day of hunger 14 to an orphaned relative 15 or of a needy [stranger] lying in the dust 16 and to be one of those who believe and urge one another to steadfastness and compassion. 17 These are the People of the Right Hand. 18 whereas those who are bent on denying the truth of Our messages - they are such as have lost themselves in evil, 19 On them is fire closed over. 20