The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
۞ I swear by yonder city 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 And [by] the father and that which was born [of him], 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He shall say: I have wasted much wealth. 6 Does he then think that no one sees him? 7 Did We not assign unto him two eyes 8 a tongue, and two lips, 9 And did We not show him the two highroads (of good and evil)? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? 12 (It is) the setting free of a slave, 13 Or feeding on a day of severe hunger 14 an orphaned relative 15 Or to the poor man lying in the dust. 16 Then he became of those who believed and enjoined on each other steadfastness and enjoined on each other compassion. 17 Those are the companions of the right. 18 And those who disbelieve Our signs - they are the fellows of the lefthand. 19 Over them shall be Fire closing round. 20