The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
۞ I swear by yonder city 1 – this city wherein you have been rendered violable– 2 And the parent and the offspring, 3 that We have created man into a life of toil and trial. 4 Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? 5 He says, "I have spent wealth in abundance." 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And have shown him the two ways? 10 So he did not quickly enter the steep valley. 11 And what will make you know the path that is steep? 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 or the feeding in times of famine 14 of an orphaned relative 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 16 so that he becomes one of those who believe, charge each other to be patient, and charge each other to be merciful. 17 These are the People of the Right Hand. 18 But they who disbelieved in Our signs - those are the companions of the left. 19 Over them will be fire closed in. 20