The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by yonder city 1 – this city wherein you have been rendered violable– 2 and by parent and offspring, 3 that We have created the human being to face a great deal of hardship. 4 Deemest he that none will overpower him? 5 He says: "I have wasted a great deal of wealth." 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 and shown him the two paths? 10 Yet, he has not entered into Aqaba 11 And what have you understood, what the valley is! 12 To free a neck (from the burden of debt or slavery), 13 Or the giving of food in a day of privation 14 to an orphan near of kin 15 or some needy person in distress, 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. 18 And those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the Companions of the Left Hand; 19 and the Fire will close in on them. 20