The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 And thou art an indweller of this city - 2 And the begetter and that which he begat, 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Deemest he that none will overpower him? 5 (He boasts and shows off) saying, "I have spent a great deal of money (for the cause of God)". 6 Deemest he that none beholdeth him? 7 Did We not make two eyes for him? 8 a tongue, and two lips? 9 And have shown him the two ways? 10 So he did not quickly enter the steep valley. 11 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 12 It is the freeing of a slave; 13 or the feeding in times of famine 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 Or to the indigent (down) in the dust. 16 And moreover to be of those who accepted faith, and who urged patience to one another and who urged graciousness to one another. 17 These are the People of the Right Hand. 18 whereas those who are bent on denying the truth of Our messages - they are such as have lost themselves in evil, 19 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20