The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by yonder city 1 in which you are now living 2 and by parent and offspring, 3 Verily We have created man into toil and hardship. 4 Does He think that no one will ever have control over him? 5 He says: "I have wasted a great deal of wealth." 6 Does he then think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes? 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 And did We not show him the two highroads (of good and evil)? 10 But he has made no effort to pass on the path that is steep. 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 The freeing of a slave! 13 Or, feeding, in a day of privation, 14 An orphan of near relationship 15 Or a poor man cleaving to the dust. 16 And moreover to be of those who accepted faith, and who urged patience to one another and who urged graciousness to one another. 17 They are the people of the right hand (and will succeed). 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 The Fire will be shut over them (i.e. they will be enveloped by the Fire without any opening or window or outlet. 20