The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city. 1 And you shall be made free from obligation in this city-- 2 And by oath of your forefather Ibrahim, and by you – his illustrious son! 3 Certainly We have created man to be in distress. 4 Deemest he that none will overpower him? 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 6 Does he think that none has observed him? 7 Did We not assign unto him two eyes 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 And shown him the two ways (good and evil)? 10 But he hath not attempted the Ascent - 11 And what have you understood, what the valley is! 12 It is freeing the neck, 13 Or, feeding, in a day of privation, 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 16 then that he become of those who believe and counsel each other to be steadfast, and counsel each other to be merciful. 17 They are those on the Right Hand (the dwellers of Paradise), 18 And those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the Companions of the Left Hand; 19 with the Fire closed above them. 20