The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ NAY! I call to witness this land 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 And [by] the father and that which was born [of him], 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 4 Does he think then that no one has power over him? 5 He says: "I have wasted a great deal of wealth." 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Did We not give him two eyes, 8 and a 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 feeding on a day of severe hunger 14 to an orphaned relative 15 Or to the poor man 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 Those are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20