The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I swear by yonder city 1 – this city wherein you have been rendered violable– 2 And [by] the father and that which was born [of him], 3 that We have created the human being to face a great deal of hardship. 4 What, does he think none has power over him, 5 (He boasts and shows off) saying, "I have spent a great deal of money (for the cause of God)". 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Did We not make two eyes for him? 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 and shown him the two paths? 10 But he has not attempted the ascent. 11 And what shall make thee understand that which the steep is? 12 (It is) the freeing of a slave, 13 Or, feeding, in a day of privation, 14 of an orphaned relative 15 Or some poor wretch in misery, 16 and, then besides this, he be one of those who believed, and enjoined upon one another steadfastness and enjoined upon one another compassion. 17 Those who do so are the people of the right hand, 18 But those who disbelieved in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), they are those on the Left Hand (the dwellers of Hell). 19 Fire will be an awning over them. 20