The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ Nay, I swear by this city - 1 in which you are now living 2 and by parent and offspring, 3 Verily We have created man into toil and struggle. 4 Deemest he that none will overpower him? 5 saying, 'I have consumed wealth abundant'? 6 Does man think that no one saw him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes? 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 and guided him on the two highways? 10 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 11 And what shall make thee understand that which the steep is? 12 (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) 13 or the feeding in times of famine 14 to an orphaned relative 15 or to a needy person in distress; 16 Then he became one of those who believed, and recommended one another to perseverance and patience, and (also) recommended one another to pity and compassion. 17 They are the people of the right hand (and will succeed). 18 But those who deny Our revelations are the people of the left hand: 19 and the Fire will close in on them. 20