The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city. 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 We verily have created man in an atmosphere: 4 Thinketh he, that none hath power over him? 5 He shall say: I have wasted much wealth. 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 And shown unto him the two highways? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 and what shall teach thee what is the steep? 12 The freeing of a slave! 13 or giving food upon a day of hunger 14 An orphan of near relationship 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 16 And moreover to be of those who accepted faith, and who urged patience to one another and who urged graciousness to one another. 17 They are those on the Right Hand (the dwellers of Paradise), 18 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 and the Fire will close in on them. 20