The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 in which you are now living 2 by the begetter, and that he begot, 3 Certainly We have created man to be in distress. 4 Thinks he that none can overcome him? 5 He says, "I have spent wealth in abundance." 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes?- 8 And a tongue, and a pair of lips?- 9 And have shown him the two ways? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 And what shall make thee understand that which the steep is? 12 (It is) to free a slave, 13 And to feed in the day of hunger. 14 To an orphan, having relationship, 15 Or a needy person in misery 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 Such are they that have attained to righteousness; 18 As for those who rejected Our Signs, they are the People of the Left Hand. 19 Upon them shall be a Fire that will hem them in. 20