The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ NAY! I call to witness this land 1 And thou shalt be allowed in yonder city 2 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 3 We have indeed created man surrounded by hardships. 4 Deemest he that none will overpower him? 5 He says (boastfully): "I have wasted wealth in abundance!" 6 Does he, then, think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 And shown him the two highways? 10 But he has not attempted the ascent. 11 And what could make thee conceive what it is, that steep uphill road? 12 It is the freeing of a slave; 13 Or feeding on a day of severe hunger 14 of an orphaned relative 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 16 And to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity. 17 Those who do so 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 vault them over. 20