The Town (Al-Balad)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ NAY! I call to witness this land 1 and you are dwelling in this city -- 2 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 3 that We have created man into a life of toil and trial. 4 Thinks he that none can overcome him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 So he did not quickly enter the steep valley. 11 What could let you know what the height is! 12 (It is) the setting free of a slave, 13 Or, feeding, in a day of privation, 14 to an orphan near of kin; 15 Or the poor 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 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 Upon them is a fire, in which they are imprisoned, closed and shut above them. 20