The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 by the begetter, and that he begot, 3 We verily have created man in an atmosphere: 4 Does he think that no one can overpower him? 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes 8 And a tongue and a pair of lips? 9 And have shown him the two ways? 10 But he could not scale the steep ascent. 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 The freeing of a slave, 13 or giving food upon a day of hunger 14 An orphan near of kin, 15 or to a needy person in distress; 16 and being, withal, of those who have attained to faith, and who enjoin upon one another patience in adversity, and enjoin upon one another compassion. 17 Those are the companions of the right. 18 And those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the Companions of the Left Hand; 19 On them is fire closed over. 20