The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by this city -- 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 And by the begetter and that which he begat, 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 4 What, does he think none has power over him, 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue and two lips? 9 And shown him the two ways (good and evil)? 10 So he did not quickly enter the steep valley. 11 And what could make thee conceive what it is, that steep uphill road? 12 The freeing of a slave! 13 Or feeding on a day of severe hunger 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 or some needy person in distress, 16 and to be one of those who believe and urge one another to steadfastness and compassion. 17 These are the fellows of the righthand. 18 And (as for) those who disbelieve in our communications, they are the people 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