The Town (Al-Balad)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ I CALL THIS earth to witness -- 1 And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city - 2 And by oath of your forefather Ibrahim, and by you – his illustrious son! 3 We verily have created man in an atmosphere: 4 Does he 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 sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 and guided him on the two paths (of good and evil)? 10 Yet he has not assaulted the steep; 11 and what shall teach thee what is the steep? 12 (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) 13 Or the giving of food in a day of hunger 14 to an orphan near of kin; 15 or to a needy person 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 These are the people of the right hand. 18 As for those who rejected Our Signs, they are the People of the Left Hand. 19 Upon them is a fire, in which they are imprisoned, closed and shut above them. 20