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 (the mystic ties of) parent and child;- 3 We have indeed created man surrounded by hardships. 4 Thinks he that none can overcome him? 5 He may say (boastfully); Wealth have I squandered in abundance! 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 and guided him on the two paths (of good and evil)? 10 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 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 to an orphan near of kin; 15 or some needy person in distress, 16 And to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity. 17 These are the people of the right. 18 And (as for) those who disbelieve in our communications, they are the people of the left hand. 19 Fire will be an awning over them. 20