The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
۞ Nay, I swear by this city - 1 And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city - 2 And (the mystic ties of) parent and child;- 3 Assuredly We have created man in trouble. 4 Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? 5 He says (boastfully): "I have wasted wealth in abundance!" 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Did We not grant him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and a pair of lips? 9 and guided him on the two highways? 10 But he has not attempted the ascent. 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) 13 Or feeding on a day of severe hunger 14 of an orphaned relative 15 or of a needy [stranger] lying in the dust 16 Then he became of those who believed and enjoined on each other steadfastness and enjoined on each other compassion. 17 They are those on the Right Hand (the dwellers of Paradise), 18 But those who deny Our revelations are the people of the left hand: 19 Over them shall be Fire closing round. 20