The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ NAY! I call to witness this land 1 And thou art a freeman of this City;- 2 And by the begetter and that which he begat, 3 that We have created man into a life of toil and trial. 4 Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 What, does he think none has seen him? 7 Have We not appointed to him two eyes, 8 and a tongue and two lips? 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 And what have you understood, what the valley is! 12 (It is) to free a slave, 13 Or the giving of food in a day of privation 14 to an orphan near of kin 15 or some needy person in distress, 16 And to be of those who believe, and urge upon one another to persevere, and urge upon each other to be kind. 17 These are the people of the right. 18 But those who disbelieve in Our verses, they are the Companions of the Left, 19 The Fire will vault them over. 20