The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
۞ I CALL THIS earth to witness -- 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 And the parent and the offspring, 3 Verily We have created man into toil and hardship. 4 Thinks he that none can overcome him? 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Have We not appointed to him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and two lips, 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 (It is:) freeing the bondman; 13 Or the giving of food in a day of privation 14 an orphaned relative 15 Or a poor man cleaving to the dust. 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 These are the People of the Right Hand. 18 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 Over them shall be Fire closing round. 20