The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ Nay! I swear by this city. 1 in which you are now living 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 We have indeed created man surrounded by hardships. 4 Thinks he that none can overcome him? 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 Does he then think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes? 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 and shown him the two highways [of good and evil]? 10 But he hath made no haste on the path that is steep. 11 And what will explain to thee the path that is steep?- 12 The freeing of a slave, 13 Or the giving of food in a day of privation 14 an orphaned relative 15 or to a destitute lying in dust; 16 Then he is of those who believe and charge one another to show patience, and charge one another to show compassion. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 over them is a Fire covered down. 20