The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I swear by yonder city 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 3 that We have created the human being to face a great deal of hardship. 4 Thinketh he that none hath power over him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Does he think that none has observed him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 Have We not shown him the ways of good and evil? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 (It is) the freeing of a slave, 13 And to feed in the day of hunger. 14 An orphan near of kin, 15 or to a destitute lying in dust; 16 Then he is of those who believe and charge one another to show patience, and charge one another to show compassion. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 Fire will be an awning over them. 20