The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ No! I swear by this land, 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 Assuredly We have created man in trouble. 4 Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? 5 He saith: I have wasted riches plenteous. 6 Does he, then, think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 And did We not show him the two highroads (of good and evil)? 10 So he did not quickly enter the steep valley. 11 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 12 It is the freeing of a slave 13 Or to feed in times of famine 14 Of a related orphan, 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 16 and to be one of those who believe and urge one another to steadfastness and compassion. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 Upon them shall be a Fire that will hem them in. 20