The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 and you are a lodger in this country. 2 by the begetter, and that he begot, 3 that We have created the human being to face a great deal of hardship. 4 Does man think that no one will ever have power over him? 5 He will say: 'I have destroyed a vast wealth' 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Have We not appointed to him two eyes, 8 And a tongue, and a pair of lips?- 9 and guided him on the two highways? 10 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 11 And what will make you comprehend what the uphill road is? 12 It is the freeing of a slave; 13 or giving food on a day of hunger 14 of an orphaned relative 15 Or the poor in distress; 16 And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion. 17 They are those on the Right Hand (the dwellers of Paradise), 18 But those who disbelieved in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), they are those on the Left Hand (the dwellers of Hell). 19 On them will be Fire vaulted over (all round). 20