The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Nay, I swear by this city - 1 And thou shalt be allowed in yonder city 2 and I swear by the parent and his offspring: 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says (boastfully): "I have wasted wealth in abundance!" 6 Does he think that none has observed him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes?- 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And did We not show him the two highroads (of good and evil)? 10 Yet, he has not entered into Aqaba 11 And what will make you comprehend what the uphill road is? 12 (It is) the freeing of a slave, 13 or the feeding in times of famine 14 The orphan near in relationship, 15 Or the poor in distress; 16 And to be of those who believe, and urge upon one another to persevere, and urge upon each other to be kind. 17 They are those on the Right Hand (the dwellers of Paradise), 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 Fire will be an awning over them. 20