The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Nay, I swear by this city - 1 And thou shalt be allowed in yonder city 2 And the begetter and whom he begot. 3 that We have created the human being to face a great deal of hardship. 4 Does he think then that no one has power over him? 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 and guided him on the two highways? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 And what have you understood, what the valley is! 12 The freeing of a slave, 13 Or the giving of food in a day of hunger 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 Or a poor man cleaving to the dust. 16 Then he became of those who believed and enjoined on each other steadfastness and enjoined on each other compassion. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 And those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the Companions of the Left Hand; 19 Fire will be an awning over them. 20