The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ No! I swear by this land, 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 And (the mystic ties of) parent and child;- 3 We have indeed created man surrounded by hardships. 4 Does he think that no one can overpower him? 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not appointed to 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 not broken through the difficult pass. 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 in times of famine 14 an orphaned relative 15 Or some poor wretch in misery, 16 Then he is of those who believe and charge one another to show patience, and charge one another to show compassion. 17 Such are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 And those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the Companions of the Left Hand; 19 The Fire will vault them over. 20