The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ Nay, I swear by this city - 1 And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city - 2 And the begetter and that which he begat, 3 We have certainly created man into hardship. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not appointed to him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 And guide him to the parting of the mountain ways? 10 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 11 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 12 The freeing of a slave! 13 Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine), 14 of an orphan near of kin, 15 or a needy man in misery; 16 And to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity. 17 Those are the Companions of the Right. 18 whereas those who are bent on denying the truth of Our messages - they are such as have lost themselves in evil, 19 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20