The Town (Al-Balad)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by this city -- 1 And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city - 2 And the begetter and whom he begot. 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 What, does he think none has power over him, 5 He may say (boastfully); Wealth have I squandered in abundance! 6 Thinks he that none sees him? 7 Did We not make two eyes for him? 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 But he has made no effort to pass on the path that is steep. 11 And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? 12 (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) 13 the giving of food upon the day of hunger 14 Of a related orphan, 15 Or to a Miskin (poor) afflicted with misery. 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 Such are they that have attained to righteousness; 18 But those who disbelieved in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), they are those on the Left Hand (the dwellers of Hell). 19 Upon them is a fire, in which they are imprisoned, closed and shut above them. 20