The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ I swear by yonder city 1 and you are dwelling in this city -- 2 And the begetter and that which he begat, 3 That We created man in toil and trouble. 4 Does He think that no one will ever have control over him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and two lips, 9 and guided him on the two paths (of good and evil)? 10 Yet he attempteth not the steep, 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 (It is) the freeing of a slave, 13 the giving of food upon the day of hunger 14 of an orphan near of kin, 15 or to a destitute lying in dust; 16 so that he becomes one of those who believe, charge each other to be patient, and charge each other to be merciful. 17 Those are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 And (as for) those who disbelieve in our communications, they are the people of the left hand. 19 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20