The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
۞ I swear by yonder city 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 and I swear by the parent and his offspring: 3 Verily We have created man into toil and hardship. 4 Does he, then, think that no one has power over him? 5 He shall say: I have wasted much wealth. 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not appointed to him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 and shown him the two paths? 10 But he has not attempted the ascent. 11 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 12 The freeing of a slave, 13 or the feeding, upon a day of [one's own] hunger, 14 to an orphaned relative 15 Or some poor wretch in misery, 16 And moreover to be of those who accepted faith, and who urged patience to one another and who urged graciousness to one another. 17 These are the People of the Right Hand. 18 And those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the Companions of the Left Hand; 19 Over them shall be Fire closing round. 20