The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
۞ I swear by this city -- 1 And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city - 2 And by the giver of birth, and whom he fathered, 3 We have certainly created man into hardship. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says: "I have wasted a great deal of wealth." 6 Deemest he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes? 8 a tongue, and two lips, 9 And shown him the two ways (good and evil)? 10 But he has made no effort to pass on the path that is steep. 11 And what do you know what that difficult steep is? 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 And to feed in the day of hunger. 14 to an orphan near of kin; 15 Or to the indigent (down) in the dust. 16 Then he became one of those who believed, and recommended one another to perseverance and patience, and (also) recommended one another to pity and compassion. 17 Such are they that have attained to righteousness; 18 But they who disbelieved in Our signs - those are the companions of the left. 19 Over them will be fire closed in. 20