The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 and you are a lodger in this country. 2 And by the giver of birth, and whom he fathered, 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 4 Does man think that no one will ever have power over him? 5 saying, 'I have consumed wealth abundant'? 6 Does he then think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes? 8 And a tongue, and a pair of lips?- 9 Have We not shown him the ways of good and evil? 10 But he hath not attempted the Ascent - 11 And what shall make thee understand that which the steep is? 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 or giving food upon a day of hunger 14 To an orphan, having relationship, 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 16 the believers who cooperate with others in patience (steadfastness) and kindness. 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 over them is a Fire covered down. 20