The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 And the begetter and that which he begat, 3 Certainly We have created man to be in distress. 4 Thinks he that none can overcome him? 5 He will say: 'I have destroyed a vast wealth' 6 Does man think that no one saw him? 7 Have We not appointed to him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 Have We not shown him the ways of good and evil? 10 Yet he attempteth not the steep, 11 And what could make thee conceive what it is, that steep uphill road? 12 It is freeing the neck, 13 Or, feeding, in a day of privation, 14 An orphan near of kin, 15 Or some poor wretch in misery, 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 Such are they that have attained to righteousness; 18 But those who disbelieve in Our verses, they are the Companions of the Left, 19 The Fire will vault them over. 20