The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ Nay, I swear by this city - 1 and you are a lodger in this country. 2 And (the mystic ties of) parent and child;- 3 That We created man in toil and trouble. 4 Thinketh he that none hath power over him? 5 He saith: I have wasted riches plenteous. 6 Does he, then, think that no one sees him? 7 Did We not assign unto him two eyes 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 And shown him the two ways (good and evil)? 10 Yet he has not assaulted the steep; 11 And what will explain to thee the path that is steep?- 12 (It is) to free a slave, 13 or giving food on a day of hunger 14 An orphan near of kin, 15 Or some poor wretch in misery, 16 and being, withal, of those who have attained to faith, and who enjoin upon one another patience in adversity, and enjoin upon one another compassion. 17 They are those on the Right Hand (the dwellers of Paradise), 18 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 The Fire will vault them over. 20