The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 And thou shalt be allowed in yonder city 2 and I swear by the parent and his offspring: 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Deemest he that none will overpower him? 5 He saith: I have wasted riches plenteous. 6 What, does he think none has seen him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes 8 a tongue, and two lips, 9 And did We not show him the two highroads (of good and evil)? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 And what do you know what that difficult steep is? 12 The freeing of a slave! 13 Or the giving of food in a day of privation 14 to an orphan near of kin; 15 Or a poor man cleaving to the dust. 16 and, then besides this, he be one of those who believed, and enjoined upon one another steadfastness and enjoined upon one another compassion. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 But those who disbelieve Our revelations, their place will be on the left hand. 19 who will be engulfed in the fire. 20