The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city. 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 And the begetter and whom he begot. 3 that We have created man into a life of toil and trial. 4 Thinketh he that none hath power over him? 5 He will say: 'I have destroyed a vast wealth' 6 Does he think that none has observed him? 7 Have We not made for 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 Yet he attempteth not the steep, 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 It is the freeing of a slave 13 Or, feeding, in a day of privation, 14 To an orphan near of kin. 15 or some needy person in distress, 16 and to be one of those who believe and urge one another to steadfastness and compassion. 17 Those are the Companions of the Right. 18 And those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the Companions of the Left Hand; 19 On them is fire closed over. 20