The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city. 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 no one has power over him? 5 He says: "I have wasted a great deal of 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 shown him the two ways (good and evil)? 10 But he did not venture to scale the difficult steep. 11 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 12 The freeing of a slave! 13 the giving of food upon the day of hunger 14 An orphan near of kin, 15 or some needy person in distress, 16 Then he became one of those who believed, and recommended one another to perseverance and patience, and (also) recommended one another to pity and compassion. 17 Their place will be on the right hand. 18 But those who disbelieve in Our verses, they are the Companions of the Left, 19 On them is fire closed over. 20