Surah “The City, This Countryside”

as rendered by M. M. Pickthall — 20 verses

Nay, I swear by this city
And thou art an indweller of this city
And the begetter and that which he begat
We verily have created man in an atmosphere
Thinketh he that none hath power over him
And he saith: I have destroyed vast wealth
Thinketh he that none beholdeth him
Did We not assign unto him two eye
And a tongue and two lips
And guide him to the parting of the mountain ways
But he hath not attempted the Ascent
Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is!
(It is) to free a slave
And to feed in the day of hunger
An orphan near of kin
Or some poor wretch in misery
And to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity
Their place will be on the right hand
But those who disbelieve Our revelations, their place will be on the left hand
Fire will be an awning over them