The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by yonder city 1 And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city - 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 We have indeed created man surrounded by hardships. 4 What, does he think none has power over him, 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 Does man think that no one saw him? 7 Have We not appointed to him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 And did We not guide him to the two elevated things? 10 But he has not broken through the difficult pass. 11 And what will make you know the path that is steep? 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 And to feed in the day of hunger. 14 to an orphan near of kin; 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 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 those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the Companions of the Left Hand; 19 and the Fire will close in on them. 20