The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Nay, I swear by this city - 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 And the begetter and that which he begat, 3 that We have created man into a life of toil and trial. 4 Does he think then that no one has power over him? 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 Thinks he that none sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 and guided him on the two paths (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 the freeing of a slave 13 Or the feeding on a day of hunger. 14 The orphan near in relationship, 15 Or the poor in distress; 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 Those who do so are the people of the right hand, 18 But those who disbelieve in Our verses, they are the Companions of the Left, 19 Fire will be an awning over them. 20