The Town (Al-Balad)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ NAY! I call to witness this land 1 and you are dwelling in this city -- 2 and I swear by the parent and his offspring: 3 Verily We have created man into toil and struggle. 4 Thinketh he that none hath power over him? 5 He says, "I have spent wealth in abundance." 6 What, does he think none has seen him? 7 Did We not grant him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And guide him to the parting of the mountain ways? 10 But he could not scale the steep ascent. 11 And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? 12 The freeing of a slave, 13 the giving of food upon the day of hunger 14 to an orphan near of kin 15 Or to the poor man lying in the dust. 16 and to be one of those who believe and urge one another to steadfastness and compassion. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 And (as for) those who disbelieve in our communications, they are the people of the left hand. 19 Upon them is a fire, in which they are imprisoned, closed and shut above them. 20