The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ Nay! I swear by this city. 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 And the parent and the offspring, 3 that We have created the human being to face a great deal of hardship. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous 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 shown him the two highways? 10 Yet he has not assaulted the steep; 11 And what have you understood, what the valley is! 12 (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) 13 or the feeding in times of famine 14 of an orphaned relative 15 or a needy man in misery; 16 And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion. 17 These are the fellows of the righthand. 18 And those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the Companions of the Left Hand; 19 Upon them shall be a Fire that will hem them in. 20