The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ Nay, I swear by this city - 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 And by oath of your forefather Ibrahim, and by you – his illustrious son! 3 We have indeed created man surrounded by hardships. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says, "I have spent wealth in abundance." 6 Does he think that none has observed him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 a tongue, and two lips? 9 And did We not guide him to the two elevated things? 10 But he did not venture to scale the difficult steep. 11 And what will make you know the path that is steep? 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 or giving food on a day of hunger 14 An orphan near of kin, 15 Or the poor in distress; 16 and to be one of those who believe and urge one another to steadfastness and compassion. 17 These are the People of the Right Hand. 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20