The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ I CALL THIS earth to witness -- 1 And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city - 2 or by the great father and his wonderful son (Abraham and Ishmael) 3 Verily We have created man into toil and struggle. 4 Thinketh he that none hath power over him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Did We not assign unto him two eyes 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 And shown him the two ways (good and evil)? 10 But he hath made no haste on the path that is steep. 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 It is freeing someone's neck from slavery; 13 Or, feeding, in a day of privation, 14 Of a related orphan, 15 Or to the indigent (down) in the dust. 16 And to be of those who believe, and urge upon one another to persevere, and urge upon each other to be kind. 17 These are the People of the Right Hand. 18 As for those who rejected Our Signs, they are the People of the Left Hand. 19 over them is a Fire covered down. 20