The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
۞ Nay, I swear by this city - 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 and I swear by the parent and his offspring: 3 Assuredly We have created man in trouble. 4 Does he think that no one can overpower him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes? 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 11 And what shall make thee understand that which the steep is? 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 or, in a day of famine, the feeding of 14 The orphan near in relationship, 15 Or to the poor man lying in the dust. 16 Then he became of those who believed and enjoined on each other steadfastness and enjoined on each other compassion. 17 They are the people of the right hand (and will succeed). 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 will be Fire vaulted over (all round). 20