The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 And you shall be made free from obligation in this city-- 2 or by the great father and his wonderful son (Abraham and Ishmael) 3 that We have created the human being to face a great deal of hardship. 4 Does he think that none has power over him! 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 and shown him the two highways [of good and evil]? 10 So he did not quickly enter the steep valley. 11 Would that you knew what Aqaba is! 12 It is the setting free of a slave 13 or giving food on a day of hunger 14 To an orphan near of kin. 15 Or to the poor man lying in the dust. 16 And moreover to be of those who accepted faith, and who urged patience to one another and who urged graciousness to one another. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 But they who disbelieved in Our signs - those are the companions of the left. 19 with the Fire closed above them. 20