The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ I swear by this city -- 1 and you are dwelling in this city -- 2 and by parent and offspring, 3 Certainly We have created man to be in distress. 4 Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 and shown him the two paths? 10 But he hath made no haste on the path that is steep. 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 It is the freeing of a slave; 13 the giving of food upon the day of hunger 14 to an orphan near of kin; 15 Or of a homeless needy person! 16 And to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity. 17 These are the fellows of the righthand. 18 But they who disbelieved in Our signs - those are the companions of the left. 19 Upon them shall be a Fire that will hem them in. 20