The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ I swear by yonder city 1 And you shall be made free from obligation in this city-- 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes 8 and a tongue and two lips? 9 and shown him the two paths? 10 But he has not broken through the difficult pass. 11 And what shall make thee understand that which the steep is? 12 It is the freeing of a slave 13 or giving food upon a day of hunger 14 To an orphan near of kin. 15 or to a destitute lying in 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 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 The Fire will vault them over. 20