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 are a lodger in this country. 2 And [by] the father and that which was born [of him], 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 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes 8 and a tongue, and a pair of lips, 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 And what do you know what that difficult steep is? 12 It is freeing the neck, 13 And to feed in the day of hunger. 14 to an orphan near of kin; 15 Or to the poor man lying in the dust. 16 and being, withal, of those who have attained to faith, and who enjoin upon one another patience in adversity, and enjoin upon one another compassion. 17 These are the People of the Right Hand. 18 And those who denied Our signs, are the people of the left. 19 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20