The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ No! I swear by this land, 1 in which you are now living 2 or by the great father and his wonderful son (Abraham and Ishmael) 3 that We have created man into a life of toil and trial. 4 Thinks he that none can overcome him? 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 6 Thinks he that none sees him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 and guided him on the two paths (of good and evil)? 10 But he hath made no haste on the path that is steep. 11 And what will explain to thee the path that is steep?- 12 It is the freeing of a slave 13 or the feeding, upon a day of [one's own] hunger, 14 to an orphaned relative 15 or of a needy [stranger] lying in the dust 16 and being, withal, of those who have attained to faith, and who enjoin upon one another patience in adversity, and enjoin upon one another compassion. 17 Those are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 But they who disbelieved in Our signs - those are the companions of the left. 19 The Fire will vault them over. 20