The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 And by the begetter and that which he begat, 3 Verily We have created man into toil and struggle. 4 Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? 5 He says: "I have wasted a great deal of wealth." 6 Does he think that none has observed him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes? 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 And have shown him the two ways? 10 But he has made no effort to pass on the path that is steep. 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 or the feeding in times of famine 14 to an orphan near of kin 15 Or to the indigent (down) in the dust. 16 and to be one of those who believe and urge one another to steadfastness and compassion. 17 Those are the Companions of the Right. 18 But they who disbelieved in Our signs - those are the companions of the left. 19 The Fire will be shut over them (i.e. they will be enveloped by the Fire without any opening or window or outlet. 20