The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city. 1 and you are a lodger in this country. 2 And by the giver of birth, and whom he fathered, 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Deemest he that none will overpower him? 5 He shall say: I have wasted much wealth. 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes? 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 and guided him on the two highways? 10 But he hath made no haste on the path that is steep. 11 And what have you understood, what the valley is! 12 It is freeing the neck, 13 the giving of food upon the day of hunger 14 To an orphan near of kin. 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 16 Then will he be of those who believe, and enjoin patience, (constancy, and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion. 17 Such are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 But those who deny Our revelations are the people of the left hand: 19 On them is fire closed over. 20