The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I swear by yonder city 1 in which you are now living 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 Assuredly We have created man in trouble. 4 Does he think that no one can overpower him? 5 He saith: I have wasted riches plenteous. 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes 8 and a tongue and two lips? 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 And what shall make thee understand that which the steep is? 12 (It is) the setting free of a slave, 13 or, in a day of famine, the feeding of 14 of an orphan near of kin, 15 Or to the indigent (down) in the dust. 16 and, then besides this, he be one of those who believed, and enjoined upon one another steadfastness and enjoined upon one another compassion. 17 Such are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 And those who disbelieve Our signs - they are the fellows of the lefthand. 19 On them is fire closed over. 20