The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most 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 Does he think that no one 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 Deemest he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 Have We not shown him the ways of good and evil? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 To free a neck (from the burden of debt or slavery), 13 Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine), 14 to an orphan near of kin 15 or of a needy [stranger] lying in the dust 16 And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 And (as for) those who disbelieve in our communications, they are the people of the left hand. 19 with the Fire closed above them. 20