The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 And thou art a freeman of this City;- 2 And by the begetter and that which he begat, 3 Assuredly We have created man in trouble. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Deemest he that none beholdeth him? 7 Did We not give him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 And have shown him the two ways? 10 Yet he has not assaulted the steep; 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 To free a neck (from the burden of debt or slavery), 13 or giving food upon a day of hunger 14 to an orphan near of kin; 15 or to a needy person in distress; 16 then that he become of those who believe and counsel each other to be steadfast, and counsel each other to be merciful. 17 They are those on the Right Hand (the dwellers of Paradise), 18 But those who disbelieve in Our verses, they are the Companions of the Left, 19 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20