The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I swear by this city -- 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 And [by] the father and that which was born [of him], 3 We have certainly created man into hardship. 4 Does he, then, think that no one has power over him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Thinks he that none sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 And guide him to the parting of the mountain ways? 10 But he has not broken through the difficult pass. 11 And what will make you comprehend what the uphill road is? 12 The freeing of a slave, 13 or giving food on a day of hunger 14 of an orphaned relative 15 Or of a homeless needy person! 16 and, then besides this, he be one of those who believed, and enjoined upon one another steadfastness and enjoined upon one another compassion. 17 These are the fellows of the righthand. 18 And those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the Companions of the Left Hand; 19 Fire will be an awning over them. 20