The Town (Al-Balad)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ I do call to witness this City;- 1 And you shall be made free from obligation in this city-- 2 And the begetter and that which he begat, 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Does he think then that no one has power over him? 5 And he saith: I have destroyed vast wealth: 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and two lips, 9 And did We not guide him to the two elevated things? 10 But he has made no effort to pass on the path that is steep. 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 Or the giving of food in a day of hunger 14 An orphan near of kin, 15 Or of a homeless needy person! 16 and being, withal, of those who have attained to faith, and who enjoin upon one another patience in adversity, and enjoin upon one another compassion. 17 Such are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 And those who disbelieve Our signs - they are the fellows of the lefthand. 19 Upon them is a fire, in which they are imprisoned, closed and shut above them. 20