The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ Nay, I swear by this city - 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 and by parent and offspring, 3 that We have created the human being to face a great deal of hardship. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He shall say: I have wasted much wealth. 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 But he did not venture to scale the difficult steep. 11 and what shall teach thee what is the steep? 12 It is freeing the neck, 13 Or, feeding, in a day of privation, 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 or of a needy [stranger] lying in the dust 16 Then he became one of those who believed, and recommended one another to perseverance and patience, and (also) recommended one another to pity and compassion. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 As for those who rejected Our Signs, they are the People of the Left Hand. 19 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20