The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city. 1 And thou shalt be allowed in yonder city 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 We have indeed created man surrounded by hardships. 4 Does he think that no one can overpower him? 5 He saith: I have wasted riches plenteous. 6 Does he then think that no one sees him? 7 Did We not give him two eyes, 8 a tongue, and two lips, 9 and shown him the two highways [of good and evil]? 10 So he did not quickly enter the steep valley. 11 Would that you knew what Aqaba is! 12 (It is) the freeing of a slave, 13 Or the giving of food in a day of hunger 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 or of a needy [stranger] lying in the dust 16 And to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity. 17 These are the People of the Right Hand. 18 And those who denied Our signs, are the people of the left. 19 with the Fire closed above them. 20