The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I swear by this city -- 1 – this city wherein you have been rendered violable– 2 And [by] the father and that which was born [of him], 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 4 Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? 5 And he saith: I have destroyed vast wealth: 6 Deemest he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not appointed to him two eyes, 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 will make you comprehend what the uphill road is? 12 To free a neck (from the burden of debt or slavery), 13 or the feeding in times of famine 14 to an orphaned relative 15 Or a poor man cleaving to the dust. 16 And to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity. 17 These are the fellows of the righthand. 18 And those who disbelieve Our signs - they are the fellows of the lefthand. 19 Fire will be an awning over them. 20