The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
۞ NAY! I call to witness this land 1 and you are a lodger in this country. 2 or by the great father and his wonderful son (Abraham and Ishmael) 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 4 Thinks he that none can overcome him? 5 He will say: 'I have destroyed a vast wealth' 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes?- 8 a tongue, and two lips? 9 And did We not show him the two highroads (of good and evil)? 10 But he hath not attempted the Ascent - 11 And what shall make thee understand that which the steep 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 to an orphan near of kin; 15 or to a needy person in distress; 16 And to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity. 17 Such are they that have attained to righteousness; 18 But those who disbelieve in Our verses, they are the Companions of the Left, 19 Over them shall be Fire closing round. 20