The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
۞ NAY! I call to witness this land 1 in which you are now living 2 And [by] the father and that which was born [of him], 3 Verily, We have created man into [a life of] pain, toil and trial. 4 Does he think that no one can overpower him? 5 He says (boastfully): "I have wasted wealth in abundance!" 6 Deemest he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes?- 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 And shown him the two ways (good and evil)? 10 But he could not scale the steep ascent. 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 To free a neck (from the burden of debt or slavery), 13 Or feeding on a day of severe hunger 14 Of a related orphan, 15 or a needy man in misery; 16 and to be one of those who believe and urge one another to steadfastness and compassion. 17 These are the people of the right. 18 And those who denied Our signs, are the people of the left. 19 Over them will be fire closed in. 20