The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ I CALL THIS earth to witness -- 1 And thou art a freeman of this City;- 2 And the parent and the offspring, 3 Certainly We have created man to be in distress. 4 What, does he think none has power over him, 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 a tongue, and two lips? 9 and guided him on the two highways? 10 But he has made no effort to pass on the path that is steep. 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 (It is) to free a slave, 13 Or to feed in times of famine 14 to an orphan near of kin; 15 Or to a Miskin (poor) afflicted with misery. 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 These are the People of the Right Hand. 18 And those who denied Our signs, are the people of the left. 19 The Fire will vault them over. 20