The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I swear by yonder city 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 And by the begetter and that which he begat, 3 Verily We have created man into toil and hardship. 4 Does man think that no one will ever have power over him? 5 He boasts, "I have spent wealth abundant!" 6 Thinks he that none sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and two lips, 9 And pointed out to him the two conspicuous ways? 10 So he did not quickly enter the steep valley. 11 And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? 12 To free a neck (from the burden of debt or slavery), 13 Or the feeding on a day of hunger. 14 The orphan near in relationship, 15 Or to a Miskin (poor) afflicted with misery. 16 Then he is of those who believe and charge one another to show patience, and charge one another to show compassion. 17 Such are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 And those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the Companions of the Left Hand; 19 who will be engulfed in the fire. 20