The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I swear by yonder city 1 and you are a lodger in this country. 2 and by parent and offspring, 3 That We created man in toil and trouble. 4 Does he think that no one can overpower him? 5 (He boasts and shows off) saying, "I have spent a great deal of money (for the cause of God)". 6 Does man think that no one saw him? 7 Have We not appointed to him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 And pointed out to him the two conspicuous ways? 10 But he has not attempted the ascent. 11 And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? 12 (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) 13 Or to feed in times of famine 14 Of a related orphan, 15 or a needy man in misery; 16 And to be of those who believe, and urge upon one another to persevere, and urge upon each other to be kind. 17 Those who do so are the people of the right hand, 18 As for those who disbelieve in Our revelations, they are the people of the left 19 Fire will be an awning over them. 20