The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 and you are dwelling in this city -- 2 by the begetter, and that he begot, 3 Assuredly We have created man in trouble. 4 What, does he think none has power over him, 5 He shall say: I have wasted much wealth. 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes? 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 12 The freeing of a slave, 13 or the feeding, upon a day of [one's own] hunger, 14 An orphan near of kin, 15 Or some poor wretch in misery, 16 And moreover to be of those who accepted faith, and who urged patience to one another and who urged graciousness to one another. 17 They are the people of the right hand (and will succeed). 18 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 On them is fire closed over. 20