The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
۞ NAY! I call to witness this land 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 and I swear by the parent and his offspring: 3 We created the human in fatigue. 4 Does he think that none has power over him! 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes? 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And did We not guide him to the two elevated things? 10 Yet he has not scaled the height. 11 And what will make you know the path that is steep? 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 or the feeding, upon a day of [one's own] hunger, 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 Or to the indigent (down) in the dust. 16 Then will he be of those who believe, and enjoin patience, (constancy, and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion. 17 These are the fellows of the righthand. 18 But those who disbelieved in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), they are those on the Left Hand (the dwellers of Hell). 19 The Fire will be shut over them (i.e. they will be enveloped by the Fire without any opening or window or outlet. 20