The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ No! I swear by this land, 1 – this city wherein you have been rendered violable– 2 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 3 Certainly We have created man to be in distress. 4 What, does he think none has power over him, 5 He saith: I have wasted riches plenteous. 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 And did We not show him the two highroads (of good and evil)? 10 But he has not broken through the difficult pass. 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 (It is) the freeing of a slave, 13 the giving of food upon the day of hunger 14 An orphan of near relationship 15 or a needy man in misery; 16 and to be one of those who believe and urge one another to steadfastness and compassion. 17 These 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 On them is fire closed over. 20