The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ I swear by yonder city 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 And (the mystic ties of) parent and child;- 3 Verily We have created man into toil and hardship. 4 What, does he think none has power over him, 5 He may say (boastfully); Wealth have I squandered in abundance! 6 What, does he think none has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 and shown him the two paths? 10 But he has made no effort to pass on the path that is steep. 11 And what could make thee conceive what it is, that steep uphill road? 12 (It is:) freeing the bondman; 13 Or the giving of food in a day of hunger 14 of an orphaned relative 15 or some needy person in distress, 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 hand. 18 But those who deny Our revelations are the people of the left hand: 19 The Fire will vault them over. 20