The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 For you (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him) are in this city. 2 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 3 Certainly We have created man to be in distress. 4 Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? 5 He shall say: I have wasted much wealth. 6 Thinks he that none sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 And shown unto him the two highways? 10 But he hath not attempted the Ascent - 11 And what will explain to thee the path that is steep?- 12 It is the freeing of a slave; 13 or the feeding in times of famine 14 to an orphan near of kin 15 Or a needy person in misery 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 fellows of the righthand. 18 whereas those who are bent on denying the truth of Our messages - they are such as have lost themselves in evil, 19 On them is fire closed over. 20