The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 and you are a lodger in this country. 2 And by the giver of birth, and whom he fathered, 3 We have indeed created man surrounded by hardships. 4 What, does he think none has power over him, 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Does he, then, think that no one sees him? 7 Did We not assign unto him two eyes 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 Have We not shown him the ways of good and evil? 10 Yet he has not assaulted the steep; 11 And what shall make thee understand that which the steep is? 12 The freeing of a slave! 13 or the feeding in times of famine 14 To the orphan with claims of relationship, 15 Or a needy person in misery 16 Then he is of those who believe and charge one another to show patience, and charge one another to show compassion. 17 Such are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 And those who disbelieve Our signs - they are the fellows of the lefthand. 19 On them is fire closed over. 20