The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by yonder city 1 And thou art a freeman of this City;- 2 by the begetter, and that he begot, 3 Verily We have created man into toil and struggle. 4 Deemest he that none will overpower him? 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and a pair of lips? 9 and shown him the two paths? 10 But he could not scale the steep ascent. 11 And what will explain to thee the path that is steep?- 12 The freeing of a slave, 13 And to feed in the day of hunger. 14 To an orphan near of kin. 15 or to a destitute lying in 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 These are the People of the Right Hand. 18 But those who disbelieve in Our verses, they are the Companions of the Left, 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