The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ I swear by this city -- 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 And (the mystic ties of) parent and child;- 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 (He boasts and shows off) saying, "I have spent a great deal of money (for the cause of God)". 6 Does he, then, think that no one sees him? 7 Did We not give him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 And shown him the two highways? 10 But he could not scale the steep ascent. 11 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 12 It is freeing the neck, 13 And to feed in the day of hunger. 14 To the orphan with claims of relationship, 15 or to a needy person in distress; 16 and to be one of those who believe and urge one another to steadfastness and compassion. 17 They are the people of the right hand (and will succeed). 18 But those who disbelieved in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), they are those on the Left Hand (the dwellers of Hell). 19 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20