The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ I swear by this city -- 1 And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city - 2 or by the great father and his wonderful son (Abraham and Ishmael) 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 4 Does he, then, think that no one has power over him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 And guide him to the parting of the mountain ways? 10 But he could not scale the steep ascent. 11 What could let you know what the height is! 12 The freeing of a slave, 13 Or the feeding on a day of hunger. 14 To the orphan with claims of relationship, 15 Or of a homeless needy person! 16 and being, withal, of those who have attained to faith, and who enjoin upon one another patience in adversity, and enjoin upon one another compassion. 17 Those are the companions of the right. 18 But those who disbelieve Our revelations, their place will be on the left hand. 19 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20