The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
۞ NAY! I call to witness this land 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 We have certainly created man into hardship. 4 Thinks he that none can overcome him? 5 He says (boastfully): "I have wasted wealth in abundance!" 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 and shown him the two paths? 10 Yet he has not scaled the height. 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 It is the setting free of a slave 13 or, in a day of famine, the feeding of 14 An orphan of near relationship 15 or a needy man in misery; 16 Then he is of those who believe and charge one another to show patience, and charge one another to show compassion. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 And those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the Companions of the Left Hand; 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