The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
۞ No! I swear by this land, 1 – this city wherein you have been rendered violable– 2 And by the begetter and that which he begat, 3 Verily We have created man into toil and hardship. 4 Does man think that no one will ever have power over him? 5 He says (boastfully): "I have wasted wealth in abundance!" 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 a tongue, and two lips, 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 But he has not broken through the difficult pass. 11 And what could make thee conceive what it is, that steep uphill road? 12 (It is) the setting free of a slave, 13 or the feeding in times of famine 14 an orphaned relative 15 Or the poor in distress; 16 And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion. 17 They are those on the Right Hand (the dwellers of Paradise), 18 And (as for) those who disbelieve in our communications, they are the people of the left hand. 19 Over them shall be Fire closing round. 20