The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I CALL THIS earth to witness -- 1 And you shall be made free from obligation in this city-- 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 Assuredly We have created man in trouble. 4 Does he think then that no one has power over him? 5 He says: "I have wasted a great deal of wealth." 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and two lips, 9 Have We not shown him the ways of good and evil? 10 Yet he attempteth not the steep, 11 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 12 The freeing of a slave, 13 Or the feeding on a day of hunger. 14 To an orphan, having relationship, 15 Or some poor wretch in misery, 16 and being, withal, of those who have attained to faith, and who enjoin upon one another patience in adversity, and enjoin upon one another compassion. 17 These are the people of the right. 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