The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city. 1 in which you are now living 2 And by oath of your forefather Ibrahim, and by you – his illustrious son! 3 Verily We have created man into toil and hardship. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Did We not give him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And shown him the two ways (good and evil)? 10 But he has not broken through the difficult pass. 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 (It is:) freeing the bondman; 13 Or the giving of food in a day of hunger 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 Or some poor wretch in misery, 16 and, then besides this, he be one of those who believed, and enjoined upon one another steadfastness and enjoined upon one another compassion. 17 Those who do so are the people of the right hand, 18 But those who disbelieve in Our verses, they are the Companions of the Left, 19 On them is fire closed over. 20