The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Nay, I swear by this city - 1 And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city - 2 And by the begetter and that which he begat, 3 We created the human in fatigue. 4 Does He think that no one will ever have control over him? 5 He saith: I have wasted riches plenteous. 6 Does he, then, think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 a tongue, and two lips, 9 And have shown him the two ways? 10 But he could not scale the steep ascent. 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 It is the freeing of a slave; 13 or the feeding in times of famine 14 An orphan near of kin, 15 Or to the indigent (down) in the dust. 16 Then will he be of those who believe, and enjoin patience, (constancy, and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion. 17 They are the people of the right hand (and will succeed). 18 And (as for) those who disbelieve in our communications, they are the people of the left hand. 19 On them is fire closed over. 20