The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 in which you are now living 2 And the begetter and whom he begot. 3 Assuredly We have created man in trouble. 4 Thinketh he that none hath power over him? 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Did We not give him two eyes, 8 and a tongue and two lips? 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 Yet he attempteth not the steep, 11 And what will make you comprehend what the uphill road is? 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 the giving of food upon the day of hunger 14 To an orphan, having relationship, 15 Or of a homeless needy person! 16 And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion. 17 These are the people of the right. 18 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 The Fire will vault them over. 20