The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
۞ NAY! I call to witness this land 1 And you shall be made free from obligation in this city-- 2 And by oath of your forefather Ibrahim, and by you – his illustrious son! 3 That We created man in toil and trouble. 4 Thinketh he, that none hath power over him? 5 (He boasts and shows off) saying, "I have spent a great deal of money (for the cause of God)". 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Did We not give him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and a pair of lips? 9 and guided him on the two highways? 10 But he has made no effort to pass on the path that is steep. 11 And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? 12 The freeing of a slave, 13 or giving food upon a day of hunger 14 of an orphan near of kin, 15 or to a destitute lying in dust; 16 then that he become of those who believe and counsel each other to be steadfast, and counsel each other to be merciful. 17 Their place will be on the right hand. 18 As for those who rejected Our Signs, they are the People of the Left Hand. 19 Over them shall be Fire closing round. 20