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 parent and the offspring, 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Thinks he that none can overcome him? 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 Does he, then, think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes? 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And did We not guide him to the two elevated things? 10 Yet he has not assaulted the steep; 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 To free a neck (from the burden of debt or slavery), 13 Or the giving of food in a day of privation 14 An orphan of near relationship 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 disbelieve in Our revelations, they are the people of the left 19 On them is fire closed over. 20