The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I swear by this city -- 1 And thou art a freeman of this City;- 2 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 3 We created the human in fatigue. 4 Thinketh he that none hath power over him? 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Did We not give him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 and shown him the two highways [of good and evil]? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? 12 (It is:) freeing the bondman; 13 Or to feed in times of famine 14 To an orphan, having relationship, 15 or of a needy [stranger] lying in the dust 16 and, then besides this, he be one of those who believed, and enjoined upon one another steadfastness and enjoined upon one another compassion. 17 Those are the companions of the right. 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 Fire will be an awning over them. 20