The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ Nay! I swear by this city. 1 in which you are now living 2 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 3 Verily We have created man into toil and struggle. 4 Thinketh he, that none hath power over him? 5 He saith: I have wasted riches plenteous. 6 Deemest he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 And have shown him the two ways? 10 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 11 And what have you understood, what the valley is! 12 It is the freeing of a slave; 13 Or the giving of food in a day of hunger 14 An orphan near of kin, 15 or a needy man in misery; 16 Then he is of those who believe and charge one another to show patience, and charge one another to show compassion. 17 Those who do so are the people of the right hand, 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20