The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ Nay! I swear by this city. 1 – this city wherein you have been rendered violable– 2 And by oath of your forefather Ibrahim, and by you – his illustrious son! 3 Assuredly We have created man in trouble. 4 Deemest he that none will overpower him? 5 (He boasts and shows off) saying, "I have spent a great deal of money (for the cause of God)". 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not appointed to him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and two lips, 9 And have shown him the two ways? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 And what shall make thee understand that which the steep is? 12 To free a neck (from the burden of debt or slavery), 13 or, in a day of famine, the feeding of 14 an orphaned relative 15 or a needy man in misery; 16 and, then besides this, he be one of those who believed, and enjoined upon one another steadfastness and enjoined upon one another compassion. 17 These are the fellows of the righthand. 18 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20