The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by yonder city 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 And the begetter and whom he begot. 3 that We have created the human being to face a great deal of hardship. 4 Does He think that no one will ever have control over him? 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 Does he think that none has observed him? 7 Did We not grant him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 and guided him on the two paths (of good and evil)? 10 But he could not scale the steep ascent. 11 And what have you understood, what the valley is! 12 It is freeing the neck, 13 or the feeding, upon a day of [one's own] hunger, 14 of an orphaned relative 15 Or some poor wretch in 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 Such are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 And those who denied Our signs, are the people 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