The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by yonder city 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 by the begetter, and that he begot, 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Does he, then, think that no one has power over him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Thinks he that none sees him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes?- 8 And a tongue and a pair of lips? 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 But he has made no effort to pass on the path that is steep. 11 And what will make you comprehend what the uphill road is? 12 (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) 13 or the feeding in times of famine 14 To an orphan, having relationship, 15 Or to the indigent (down) in the dust. 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 Their place will be on the right hand. 18 And those who disbelieve Our signs - they are the fellows of the lefthand. 19 and the Fire will close in on them. 20