The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by this city -- 1 in which you are now living 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 We verily have created man in an atmosphere: 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 (He boasts and shows off) saying, "I have spent a great deal of money (for the cause of God)". 6 Deemest he that none beholdeth him? 7 Did We not assign unto him two eyes 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And shown him the two highways? 10 Yet he attempteth not the steep, 11 And what will make you comprehend what the uphill road is? 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 Or the giving of food in a day of privation 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 Or a poor man cleaving to the dust. 16 then that he become of those who believe and counsel each other to be steadfast, and counsel each other to be merciful. 17 Those who do so are the people of the right hand, 18 And those who denied Our signs, are the people of the left. 19 with the Fire closed above them. 20