The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city. 1 And you shall be made free from obligation in this city-- 2 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 3 That We created man in toil and trouble. 4 Does man think that no one will ever have power over him? 5 He says: "I have wasted a great deal of wealth." 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And shown unto him the two highways? 10 But he did not venture to scale the difficult steep. 11 And what do you know what that difficult steep is? 12 It is the freeing of a slave; 13 Or the giving of food in a day of privation 14 Of a related orphan, 15 Or some poor wretch in misery, 16 Then will he be of those who believe, and enjoin patience, (constancy, and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion. 17 Such are they that have attained to righteousness; 18 But they who disbelieved in Our signs - those are the companions of the left. 19 who will be engulfed in the fire. 20