The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ NAY! I call to witness this land 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 and by parent and offspring, 3 indeed, We created man in trouble. 4 Does man think that no one will ever have power over him? 5 He shall say: I have wasted much wealth. 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and two lips, 9 and shown him the two highways [of good and evil]? 10 Yet he has not assaulted the steep; 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) 13 or giving food upon a day of hunger 14 An orphan near of kin, 15 or to a destitute lying in dust; 16 And moreover to be of those who accepted faith, and who urged patience to one another and who urged graciousness to one another. 17 Such are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 And those who disbelieve Our signs - they are the fellows of the lefthand. 19 Fire will be an awning over them. 20