The Town (Al-Balad)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ I CALL THIS earth to witness -- 1 And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city - 2 And by oath of your forefather Ibrahim, and by you – his illustrious son! 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Does He think that no one will ever have control over him? 5 He says: "I have wasted a great deal of wealth." 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Did We not assign unto him two eyes 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 Yet, he has not entered into Aqaba 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 It is freeing someone's neck from slavery; 13 Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine), 14 of an orphan near of kin, 15 or of a needy [stranger] lying in the dust 16 and, then besides this, he be one of those who believed, and enjoined upon one another steadfastness and enjoined upon one another compassion. 17 Such are they that have attained to righteousness; 18 As for those who disbelieve in Our revelations, they are the people of the left 19 Upon them is a fire, in which they are imprisoned, closed and shut above them. 20