The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city. 1 and you are dwelling in this city -- 2 or by the great father and his wonderful son (Abraham and Ishmael) 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 4 Thinks he that none can overcome him? 5 He will say: 'I have destroyed a vast wealth' 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes?- 8 And a tongue and a pair of lips? 9 and guided him on the two highways? 10 But he could not scale the steep ascent. 11 And what will make you know the path that is steep? 12 (It is) the freeing of a slave, 13 Or feeding on a day of severe hunger 14 to an orphan near of kin; 15 or some needy person in distress, 16 the believers who cooperate with others in patience (steadfastness) and kindness. 17 Those are the Companions of the Right. 18 And those who denied Our signs, are the people of the left. 19 On them will be Fire vaulted over (all round). 20