The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I swear by yonder city 1 and you are dwelling in this city -- 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Does He think that no one will ever have control over him? 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 What, does he think none has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 Have We not shown him the ways of good and evil? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 And what do you know what that difficult steep is? 12 To free a neck (from the burden of debt or slavery), 13 And to feed in the day of hunger. 14 To the orphan with claims of relationship, 15 Or to the poor man lying in the dust. 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 These are the People of the Right Hand. 18 But those who deny Our revelations are the people of the left hand: 19 Fire will be an awning over them. 20