The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city - 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 Verily We have created man into toil and struggle. 4 Deemest he that none will overpower him? 5 He boasts, "I have spent wealth abundant!" 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Did We not grant him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 And did We not guide him to the two elevated things? 10 But he has made no effort to pass on the path that is steep. 11 And what could make thee conceive what it is, that steep uphill road? 12 (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) 13 Or the giving of food in a day of privation 14 To an orphan near of kin. 15 Or of a homeless needy person! 16 And to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 But those who disbelieve in Our verses, they are the Companions of the Left, 19 Upon them shall be a Fire that will hem them in. 20