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 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Does man think that no one will ever have power over him? 5 He boasts, "I have spent wealth abundant!" 6 Deemest he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 And did We not guide him to the two elevated things? 10 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 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 a needy person in distress; 16 Then he became one of those who believed, and recommended one another to perseverance and patience, and (also) recommended one another to pity and compassion. 17 Those who do so 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 The Fire will vault them over. 20