The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ No! I swear by this land, 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 and I swear by the parent and his offspring: 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Does He think that no one will ever have control over him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Thinks he that none sees him? 7 Did We not assign unto him two eyes 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 But he has not attempted the ascent. 11 And what could make thee conceive what it is, that steep uphill road? 12 It is the freeing of a slave 13 And to feed in the day of hunger. 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 Or of a homeless needy person! 16 Then he became of those who believed and enjoined on each other steadfastness and enjoined on each other compassion. 17 Such are they that have attained to righteousness; 18 And (as for) those who disbelieve in our communications, they are the people of the left hand. 19 Fire will be an awning over them. 20