The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 And thou shalt be allowed in yonder city 2 And by the giver of birth, and whom he fathered, 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 4 Does man think that no one will ever have power over him? 5 He boasts, "I have spent wealth abundant!" 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue, and a pair of lips?- 9 And did We not show him the two highroads (of good and evil)? 10 But he could not scale the steep ascent. 11 What could let you know what the height is! 12 It is freeing the neck, 13 Or feeding on a day of severe hunger 14 To the orphan with claims of relationship, 15 Or of a homeless needy person! 16 then that he become of those who believe and counsel each other to be steadfast, and counsel each other to be merciful. 17 Such are they that have attained to righteousness; 18 But they who disbelieved in Our signs - those are the companions of the left. 19 The Fire will vault them over. 20