The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 and I swear by the parent and his offspring: 3 Verily We have created man into toil and hardship. 4 Thinks he that none can overcome him? 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 Does he, then, think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes? 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And did We not show him the two highroads (of good and evil)? 10 Yet he has not scaled the height. 11 Would that you knew what Aqaba is! 12 The freeing of a slave, 13 or the feeding, upon a day of [one's own] hunger, 14 to an orphaned relative 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 16 the believers who cooperate with others in patience (steadfastness) and kindness. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 The Fire will vault them over. 20