The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city. 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 And by oath of your forefather Ibrahim, and by you – his illustrious son! 3 We created the human in fatigue. 4 Deemest he that none will overpower him? 5 And he saith: I have destroyed vast wealth: 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not appointed to him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And shown unto him the two highways? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 And what could make thee conceive what it is, that steep uphill road? 12 (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) 13 Or, feeding, in a day of privation, 14 to an orphan near of kin 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 Such are they that have attained to righteousness; 18 But those who disbelieved in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), they are those on the Left Hand (the dwellers of Hell). 19 The Fire will vault them over. 20