The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city. 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 and I swear by the parent and his offspring: 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 4 Does he think then that no one has power over him? 5 He saith: I have wasted riches plenteous. 6 What, does he think none has seen him? 7 Did We not grant him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 Have We not shown him the ways of good and evil? 10 Yet, he has not entered into Aqaba 11 And what will make you comprehend what the uphill road is? 12 (It is) the setting free of a slave, 13 or giving food upon a day of hunger 14 an orphaned relative 15 or of a needy [stranger] lying in the dust 16 then that he become of those who believe and counsel each other to be steadfast, and counsel each other to be merciful. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 and the Fire will close in on them. 20