The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
۞ NAY! I call to witness this land 1 And you shall be made free from obligation in this city-- 2 And by oath of your forefather Ibrahim, and by you – his illustrious son! 3 that We have created man into a life of toil and trial. 4 Does He think that no one will ever have control over him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Does he, then, think that no one sees him? 7 Did We not make two eyes for him? 8 and a tongue, and two lips, 9 Have We not shown him the ways of good and evil? 10 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 11 Would that you knew what Aqaba is! 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 or giving food on a day of hunger 14 To an orphan near of kin. 15 Or the poor in distress; 16 and, then besides this, he be one of those who believed, and enjoined upon one another steadfastness and enjoined upon one another compassion. 17 They are the people of the right hand (and will succeed). 18 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 The Fire will be shut over them (i.e. they will be enveloped by the Fire without any opening or window or outlet. 20