The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 And (the mystic ties of) parent and child;- 3 Certainly We have created man to be in distress. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 6 Does he think that none has observed him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 and shown him the two highways [of good and evil]? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? 12 It is the freeing of a slave; 13 Or to feed in times of famine 14 To an orphan, having relationship, 15 or to a destitute lying in dust; 16 And moreover to be of those who accepted faith, and who urged patience to one another and who urged graciousness to one another. 17 Those who do so are the people of the right hand, 18 As for those who rejected Our Signs, they are the People of the Left Hand. 19 The Fire will be shut over them (i.e. they will be enveloped by the Fire without any opening or window or outlet. 20