The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ NAY! I call to witness this land 1 in which you are now living 2 and I swear by the parent and his offspring: 3 indeed, We created man in trouble. 4 Thinketh he that none hath power over him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Does he think that none has observed him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes?- 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And have shown him the two ways? 10 But he has not attempted the ascent. 11 And what will make you know the path that is steep? 12 It is the setting free of a slave 13 or giving food on a day of hunger 14 To an orphan, having relationship, 15 or of a needy [stranger] lying in the dust 16 Then he is of those who believe and charge one another to show patience, and charge one another to show compassion. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 whereas those who are bent on denying the truth of Our messages - they are such as have lost themselves in evil, 19 Fire will be an awning over them. 20