The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by yonder city 1 – this city wherein you have been rendered violable– 2 by the begetter, and that he begot, 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Thinks he that none can overcome him? 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 What, does he think none has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 And did We not show him the two highroads (of good and evil)? 10 Yet he has not scaled the height. 11 And what do you know what that difficult steep is? 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 or giving food on a day of hunger 14 To an orphan near of kin. 15 Or to a Miskin (poor) afflicted with misery. 16 And moreover to be of those who accepted faith, and who urged patience to one another and who urged graciousness to one another. 17 They are those on the Right Hand (the dwellers of Paradise), 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 The Fire will be shut over them (i.e. they will be enveloped by the Fire without any opening or window or outlet. 20