The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 – this city wherein you have been rendered violable– 2 by the begetter, and that he begot, 3 We created the human in fatigue. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says, "I have spent wealth in abundance." 6 Does man think that no one saw him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes? 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And shown unto him the two highways? 10 But he has not attempted the ascent. 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 orphan near of kin, 15 or some needy person in distress, 16 and being, withal, of those who have attained to faith, and who enjoin upon one another patience in adversity, and enjoin upon one another compassion. 17 Those who do so are the people of the right hand, 18 And those who denied Our signs, are the people of the left. 19 Over them will be fire closed in. 20