The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most 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 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Does man think that no one will ever have power over him? 5 He says, "I have spent wealth in abundance." 6 Does man think that no one saw him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and two lips, 9 And shown unto him 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 (It is:) freeing the bondman; 13 Or feeding on a day of severe hunger 14 To an orphan, having relationship, 15 or to a destitute lying in dust; 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 They are the people of the right hand (and will succeed). 18 As for those who rejected Our Signs, they are the People of the Left Hand. 19 with the Fire closed above them. 20