The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ Nay, I swear by this city - 1 in which you are now living 2 And by the giver of birth, and whom he fathered, 3 We have certainly created man into hardship. 4 Thinketh he, that none hath power over him? 5 He says, "I have spent wealth in abundance." 6 Does he, then, think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and a pair of lips? 9 And pointed out to him the two conspicuous ways? 10 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 11 And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? 12 (It is) to free a slave, 13 Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine), 14 to an orphaned relative 15 or a needy man in misery; 16 And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion. 17 Such 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 over them is a Fire covered down. 20