The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ Nay! I swear by this city 1 And you shall be made free from obligation in this city-- 2 by the begetter, and that he begot, 3 that We have created man into a life of toil and trial. 4 Does he think then that no one has power over him? 5 He says, "I have spent wealth in abundance." 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 a tongue, and two lips? 9 And shown him the two ways (good and evil)? 10 But he would not attempt the uphill road, 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 To free a neck (from the burden of debt or slavery), 13 or, in a day of famine, the feeding of 14 to an orphan near of kin; 15 and downtrodden destitute person, (so that he would be of) 16 And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion. 17 Those are the companions of the right. 18 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20