The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I swear by this city -- 1 and you are a lodger in this country. 2 And [by] the father and that which was born [of him], 3 Assuredly We have created man in trouble. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says, "I have spent wealth in abundance." 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Did We not grant him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and two lips, 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 But he has not attempted the ascent. 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 It is the freeing of a slave 13 And to feed in the day of hunger. 14 An orphan near of kin, 15 Or some poor wretch in misery, 16 And to be of those who believe, and urge upon one another to persevere, and urge upon each other to be kind. 17 Those who do so are the people of the right hand, 18 And those who denied Our signs, are the people of the left. 19 On them is fire closed over. 20