The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city - 2 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 3 Certainly We have created man to be in distress. 4 Thinketh he, that none hath power over him? 5 He saith: I have wasted riches plenteous. 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Did We not grant him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 and shown him the two highways [of good and evil]? 10 Yet, he has not entered into Aqaba 11 And what could make thee conceive what it is, that steep uphill road? 12 The freeing of a slave, 13 Or the feeding on a day of hunger. 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 Or a needy person in misery 16 Then he became of those who believed and enjoined on each other steadfastness and enjoined on each other compassion. 17 Their place will be on the right hand. 18 whereas those who are bent on denying the truth of Our messages - they are such as have lost themselves in evil, 19 Over them shall be Fire closing round. 20