The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ I CALL THIS earth to witness -- 1 And thou art a freeman of this City;- 2 or by the great father and his wonderful son (Abraham and Ishmael) 3 that We have created the human being to face a great deal of hardship. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He boasts, "I have spent wealth abundant!" 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 pointed out to him the two conspicuous ways? 10 But he hath made no haste on the path that is steep. 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 It is freeing the neck, 13 Or the feeding on a day of hunger. 14 of an orphaned relative 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 16 then that he become of those who believe and counsel each other to be steadfast, and counsel each other to be merciful. 17 Those are the companions of the right. 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 Upon them shall be a Fire that will hem them in. 20