The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Nay, I swear by this city - 1 And thou art an indweller of this city - 2 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 3 that We have created man into a life of toil and trial. 4 Does he think that none has power over him! 5 He may say (boastfully); Wealth have I squandered in abundance! 6 Thinks he that none sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 Have We not shown him the ways of good and evil? 10 But he could not scale the steep ascent. 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 (It is) the setting free of a slave, 13 or giving food on a day of hunger 14 To an orphan near of kin. 15 Or a poor man cleaving to 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 Such are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 And those who denied Our signs, are the people of the left. 19 On them is fire closed over. 20