The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by yonder city 1 – this city wherein you have been rendered violable– 2 And (the mystic ties of) parent and child;- 3 that We have created man into a life of toil and trial. 4 Thinketh he, that none hath power over him? 5 He says (boastfully): "I have wasted wealth in abundance!" 6 Does man think that no one saw him? 7 Did We not assign unto him two eyes 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And have shown him the two ways? 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 the giving of food upon the day of hunger 14 of an orphan near of kin, 15 or to a destitute lying in dust; 16 Then he is of those who believe and charge one another to show patience, and charge one another to show compassion. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 As for those who disbelieve in Our revelations, they are the people of the left 19 and the Fire will close in on them. 20