The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
۞ I swear by yonder city 1 And thou art a freeman of this City;- 2 by the begetter, and that he begot, 3 That We created man in toil and trouble. 4 Thinketh he that none hath power over him? 5 And he saith: I have destroyed vast wealth: 6 Does he think that none has observed him? 7 Did We not grant him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 and guided him on the two paths (of good and evil)? 10 So he did not quickly enter the steep valley. 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 To free a neck (from the burden of debt or slavery), 13 or the feeding, upon a day of [one's own] hunger, 14 An orphan of near relationship 15 or a needy man in misery; 16 the believers who cooperate with others in patience (steadfastness) and kindness. 17 They are the people of the right hand (and will succeed). 18 As for those who rejected Our Signs, they are the People of the Left Hand. 19 On them will be Fire vaulted over (all round). 20