The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city - 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 that We have created man into a life of toil and trial. 4 Thinks he that none can overcome him? 5 He says: "I have wasted a great deal of wealth." 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 showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 Yet he attempteth not the steep, 11 And what do you know what that difficult steep is? 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 Or the giving of food in a day of privation 14 Of a related orphan, 15 Or some poor wretch in misery, 16 so that he becomes one of those who believe, charge each other to be patient, and charge each other to be merciful. 17 They are those on the Right Hand (the dwellers of Paradise), 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 Upon them shall be a Fire that will hem them in. 20