The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ Nay! I swear by this city. 1 And thou art a freeman of this City;- 2 And by oath of your forefather Ibrahim, and by you – his illustrious son! 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 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 Did We not grant him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and a pair of lips? 9 And pointed out to him the two conspicuous ways? 10 So he did not quickly enter the steep valley. 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) 13 Or feeding on a day of severe hunger 14 An orphan near of kin, 15 Or a poor man cleaving to 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 who do so are the people of the right hand, 18 As for those who rejected Our Signs, they are the People of the Left Hand. 19 The Fire will vault them over. 20