The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
۞ I CALL THIS earth to witness -- 1 and you are dwelling in this city -- 2 And [by] the father and that which was born [of him], 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 4 Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? 5 He says (boastfully): "I have wasted wealth in abundance!" 6 What, does he think none has seen him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes? 8 And a tongue, and a pair of lips?- 9 and shown him the two highways [of good and evil]? 10 But he hath made no haste on the path that is steep. 11 And what will explain to thee the path that is steep?- 12 (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) 13 Or the giving of food in a day of privation 14 To an orphan near of kin. 15 Or the poor in distress; 16 And moreover to be of those who accepted faith, and who urged patience to one another and who urged graciousness to one another. 17 They are the people of the right hand (and will succeed). 18 But those who disbelieved in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), they are those on the Left Hand (the dwellers of Hell). 19 On them will be Fire vaulted over (all round). 20