The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ Nay, I swear by this city - 1 in which you are now living 2 by the begetter, and that he begot, 3 Verily We have created man into toil and hardship. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He shall say: I have wasted much wealth. 6 Does he, then, think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 and guided him on the two highways? 10 But he hath made no haste on the path that is steep. 11 And what shall make thee understand that which the steep is? 12 To free a neck (from the burden of debt or slavery), 13 the giving of food upon the day of hunger 14 The orphan near in relationship, 15 Or a poor man cleaving to the dust. 16 and to be one of those who believe and urge one another to steadfastness and compassion. 17 Such are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 But those who disbelieve in Our verses, they are the Companions of the Left, 19 over them is a Fire covered down. 20