The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ NAY! I call to witness this land 1 And thou shalt be allowed in yonder city 2 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 3 We created the human in fatigue. 4 Thinketh he, that none hath power over him? 5 He may say (boastfully); Wealth have I squandered in abundance! 6 Does he think that none has observed him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And shown him the two highways? 10 Yet he has not scaled the height. 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 It is the freeing of a slave 13 or giving food upon a day of hunger 14 to an orphan near of kin; 15 or to a needy person in distress; 16 the believers who cooperate with others in patience (steadfastness) and kindness. 17 They are those on the Right Hand (the dwellers of Paradise), 18 And those who disbelieve Our signs - they are the fellows of the lefthand. 19 The Fire will vault them over. 20