The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ I swear by this city -- 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 or by the great father and his wonderful son (Abraham and Ishmael) 3 That We created man in toil and trouble. 4 Does he think then that no one has power over him? 5 He will say: 'I have destroyed a vast wealth' 6 Deemest he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes?- 8 a tongue, and two lips, 9 And shown him the two ways (good and evil)? 10 But he has made no effort to pass on the path that is steep. 11 And what will make you comprehend what the uphill road is? 12 The freeing of a slave! 13 Or, feeding, in a day of privation, 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 16 And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion. 17 Those are the companions of the right. 18 As for those who rejected Our Signs, they are the People of the Left Hand. 19 Upon them shall be a Fire that will hem them in. 20