The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city. 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 And by the giver of birth, and whom he fathered, 3 that We have created man into a life of toil and trial. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He may say (boastfully); Wealth have I squandered in abundance! 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes? 8 a tongue, and two lips, 9 and guided him on the two paths (of good and evil)? 10 But he hath made no haste on the path that is steep. 11 And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? 12 (It is) to free a slave, 13 or the feeding in times of famine 14 The orphan near in relationship, 15 Or to the poor man lying in the dust. 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 Those are the Companions of the Right. 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 On them will be Fire vaulted over (all round). 20