The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 in which you are now living 2 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 3 Verily We have created man into toil and hardship. 4 Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? 5 He says (boastfully): "I have wasted wealth in abundance!" 6 Thinks he that none sees him? 7 Have We not made for him two 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 assaulted the steep; 11 And what could make thee conceive what it is, that steep uphill road? 12 It is freeing someone's neck from slavery; 13 Or, feeding, in a day of privation, 14 An orphan near of kin, 15 Or some poor wretch in misery, 16 And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion. 17 These are the fellows of the righthand. 18 As for those who disbelieve in Our revelations, they are the people of the left 19 Over them will be fire closed in. 20