The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
۞ I swear by this city -- 1 in which you are now living 2 And the begetter and that which he begat, 3 Certainly We have created man to be in distress. 4 Does he think that no one can overpower him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue and two lips? 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 But he hath made no haste on the path that is steep. 11 And what will make you know the path that is steep? 12 It is the freeing of a slave; 13 Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine), 14 To an orphan near of kin. 15 or to a destitute lying in dust; 16 so that he becomes one of those who believe, charge each other to be patient, and charge each other to be merciful. 17 Those who do so are the people of the right hand, 18 whereas those who are bent on denying the truth of Our messages - they are such as have lost themselves in evil, 19 Over them shall be Fire closing round. 20