The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by this city -- 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 And the begetter and that which he begat, 3 Verily We have created man into toil and struggle. 4 Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Does he think that no one 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 has not broken through the difficult pass. 11 And what will explain to thee the path that is steep?- 12 It is the freeing of a slave 13 And to feed in the day of hunger. 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 or of a needy [stranger] lying in the dust 16 Then will he be of those who believe, and enjoin patience, (constancy, and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion. 17 They are those on the Right Hand (the dwellers of Paradise), 18 And those who denied Our signs, are the people of the left. 19 and the Fire will close in on them. 20