The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I CALL THIS earth to witness -- 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 3 indeed, We created man in trouble. 4 Does he think that none has power over him! 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 And did We not guide him to the two elevated things? 10 But he has not attempted the ascent. 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 It is freeing the neck, 13 or the feeding in times of famine 14 of an orphaned relative 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 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 Those are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 On them is fire closed over. 20