The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
۞ I CALL THIS earth to witness -- 1 in which you are now living 2 And by oath of your forefather Ibrahim, and by you – his illustrious son! 3 that We have created the human being to face a great deal of hardship. 4 Does he think that none has power over him! 5 He says, "I have spent 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 a pair of lips?- 9 and guided him on the two highways? 10 Yet he has not assaulted the steep; 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 (It is) to free a slave, 13 Or, feeding, in a day of privation, 14 of an orphan near of kin, 15 Or to the poor man lying in the dust. 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 People of the Right Hand. 18 And those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the 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