The Town (Al-Balad)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ I do call to witness this City;- 1 And thou shalt be allowed in yonder city 2 And [by] the father and that which was born [of him], 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Thinketh he that none hath power over him? 5 He saith: I have wasted riches plenteous. 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 And shown unto him the two highways? 10 Yet he has not scaled the height. 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 It is freeing someone's neck from slavery; 13 Or to feed in times of famine 14 to an orphaned relative 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 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 is a fire, in which they are imprisoned, closed and shut above them. 20