The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ I CALL THIS earth to witness -- 1 and you are dwelling in this city -- 2 And by the begetter and that which he begat, 3 We have certainly created man into hardship. 4 Does he think that no one can overpower him? 5 saying, 'I have consumed wealth abundant'? 6 Does he, then, think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 And pointed out to him the two conspicuous ways? 10 But he has made no effort to pass on the path that is steep. 11 And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? 12 (It is) the freeing of a slave, 13 Or the feeding on a day of hunger. 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 Or to the indigent (down) in the dust. 16 and, then besides this, he be one of those who believed, and enjoined upon one another steadfastness and enjoined upon one another compassion. 17 Those who do so are the people of the right hand, 18 whereas those who are bent on denying the truth of Our messages - they are such as have lost themselves in evil, 19 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20