The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ I swear by this city -- 1 And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city - 2 And the parent and the offspring, 3 Verily We have created man into toil and struggle. 4 Does he, then, think that no one has power over him? 5 (He boasts and shows off) saying, "I have spent a great deal of money (for the cause of God)". 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 And shown unto him the two highways? 10 But he did not venture to scale the difficult steep. 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 The freeing of a slave, 13 or the feeding in times of famine 14 an orphaned relative 15 Or some poor wretch in misery, 16 Then will he be of those who believe, and enjoin patience, (constancy, and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion. 17 Those are the companions of the right. 18 And those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the Companions of the Left Hand; 19 Upon them shall be a Fire that will hem them in. 20