The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 And you shall be made free from obligation in this city-- 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 We have indeed created man surrounded by hardships. 4 Does he think that none has power over him! 5 He saith: I have wasted riches plenteous. 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 And did We not show him the two highroads (of good and evil)? 10 So he did not quickly enter the steep valley. 11 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 12 It is the freeing of a slave 13 And to feed in the day of hunger. 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 or of a needy [stranger] lying in the dust 16 so that he becomes one of those who believe, charge each other to be patient, and charge each other to be merciful. 17 Their place will be on the right hand. 18 But those who deny Our revelations are the people of the left hand: 19 and the Fire will close in on them. 20