World Lit Reader

The Qur’an · Translated by Marmaduke Pickthall

Surah 90. Al-Balad (The City, This Countryside) [Makka]

Surah 90. Al-Balad (The City, This Countryside) [Makka]

90:1 Nay, I swear by this city -

90:2 And thou art an indweller of this city -

90:3 And the begetter and that which he begat,

90:4 We verily have created man in an atmosphere:

90:5 Thinketh he that none hath power over him?

90:6 And he saith: I have destroyed vast wealth:

90:7 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him?

90:8 Did We not assign unto him two eyes

90:9 And a tongue and two lips,

90:10 And guide him to the parting of the mountain ways?

90:11 But he hath not attempted the Ascent -

90:12 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! -

90:13 (It is) to free a slave,

90:14 And to feed in the day of hunger.

90:15 An orphan near of kin,

90:16 Or some poor wretch in misery,

90:17 And to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity.

90:18 Their place will be on the right hand.

90:19 But those who disbelieve Our revelations, their place will be on the left hand.

90:20 Fire will be an awning over them.

Translated by Marmaduke Pickthall. Digital source: Project Gutenberg, ebook 16955. This reading text follows the edition used in our interactive reader.