Surah “The City, This Countryside”

as rendered by Edward Henry Palmer — 20 verses

I need not swear by the Lord of this land
and though a dweller in this land
Nor by the begetter and what he begets
We have surely created man in trouble
Does he think that none can do aught against him
He says, I have wasted wealth in plenty
does he think that no one sees him
Have we not made for him two eye
and a tongue, and two lips
and guided him in the two highways
but he will not attempt the steep
And what shall make thee know what the steep is
It is freeing captives
or feeding on the day of famine
an orphan who is akin
or a poor man who lies in the dust
and again (it is) to be of these who believe and encourage each other to patience, and encourage each other to mercy,
these are the fellows of the right
But those who disbelieve in our signs, they are the fellows of the left
for them is fire that closes in