The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city. 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 and I swear by the parent and his offspring: 3 We have indeed created man surrounded by hardships. 4 Deemest he that none will overpower him? 5 He saith: I have wasted riches plenteous. 6 Deemest he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not appointed to him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 and shown him the two paths? 10 But he has not broken through the difficult pass. 11 And what will explain to thee the path that is steep?- 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 Or to feed in times of famine 14 to an orphaned relative 15 or to a destitute lying in dust; 16 and to be one of those who believe and urge one another to steadfastness and compassion. 17 Those are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 And those who denied Our signs, are the people of the left. 19 On them is fire closed over. 20