The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city. 1 in which you are now living 2 And (the mystic ties of) parent and child;- 3 We have certainly created man into hardship. 4 Thinketh he, that none hath power over him? 5 saying, 'I have consumed wealth abundant'? 6 Does he then think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 and shown him the two paths? 10 But he has not attempted the ascent. 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 (It is:) freeing the bondman; 13 Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine), 14 to an orphaned relative 15 Or the poor in distress; 16 Then he became of those who believed and enjoined on each other steadfastness and enjoined on each other compassion. 17 Such are they that have attained to righteousness; 18 And those who denied Our signs, are the people of the left. 19 On them will be Fire vaulted over (all round). 20