The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city. 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 And by oath of your forefather Ibrahim, and by you – his illustrious son! 3 Verily We have created man into toil and struggle. 4 Does man think that no one will ever have power over him? 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And shown him the two ways (good and evil)? 10 But he has not broken through the difficult pass. 11 And what shall make thee understand that which the steep is? 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 Or the giving of food in a day of privation 14 To the orphan with claims of relationship, 15 Or to the indigent (down) in the dust. 16 the believers who cooperate with others in patience (steadfastness) and kindness. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 Over them will be fire closed in. 20