The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ Nay, I swear by this city - 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 And by oath of your forefather Ibrahim, and by you – his illustrious son! 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Does he think that none has power over him! 5 He may say (boastfully); Wealth have I squandered in abundance! 6 Does man think that no one saw him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes? 8 And a tongue, and a pair of lips?- 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 But he has not attempted the ascent. 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 It is freeing the neck, 13 Or feeding on a day of severe hunger 14 To an orphan, having relationship, 15 Or a needy person in misery 16 Then he became of those who believed and enjoined on each other steadfastness and enjoined on each other compassion. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 But those who deny Our revelations are the people of the left hand: 19 The Fire will vault them over. 20