The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ NAY! I call to witness this land 1 And you shall be made free from obligation in this city-- 2 And by the begetter and that which he begat, 3 Certainly We have created man to be in distress. 4 Does he, then, think that no one has power over him? 5 He will say: 'I have destroyed a vast wealth' 6 Thinks he that none sees him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes? 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 And shown unto him the two highways? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 And what will make you comprehend what the uphill road is? 12 To free a neck (from the burden of debt or slavery), 13 And to feed in the day of hunger. 14 of an orphaned relative 15 Or the poor in distress; 16 Then he became one of those who believed, and recommended one another to perseverance and patience, and (also) recommended one another to pity and compassion. 17 Such are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 But those who disbelieve Our revelations, their place will be on the left hand. 19 Fire will be an awning over them. 20