The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 And thou art an indweller of this city - 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 Verily We have created man into toil and struggle. 4 Does he think that none has power over him! 5 He boasts, "I have spent wealth abundant!" 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Did We not grant him two eyes, 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 So he did not quickly enter the steep valley. 11 And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? 12 (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) 13 or the feeding in times of famine 14 an orphaned relative 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 16 so that he becomes one of those who believe, charge each other to be patient, and charge each other to be merciful. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 And (as for) those who disbelieve in our communications, they are the people of the left hand. 19 over them is a Fire covered down. 20