# 90. al-Balad: The City

*Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-19 — 1 clipping.*

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> 90. al-Balad: The City
> 
> 1 Nay, I swear by this city - 
> 
> 2 And thou art an indweller of this city - 
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> 3 And the begetter and that which he begat, 
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> 4 We verily have created man in an atmosphere: 
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> 5 Thinketh he that none hath power over him ? 
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> 6 And he saith: I have destroyed vast wealth: 
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> 7 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him ? 
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> 8 Did We not assign unto him two eyes 
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> 9 And a tongue and two lips, 
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> 10 And guide him to the parting of the mountain ways ? 
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> 11 But he hath not attempted the Ascent - 
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> 12 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent is! - 
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> 13 (It is) to free a slave, 
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> 14 And to feed in the day of hunger. 
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> 15 An orphan near of kin, 
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> 16 Or some poor wretch in misery, 
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> 17 And to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity. 
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> 18 Their place will be on the right hand. 
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> 19 But those who disbelieve Our revelations, their place will be on the left hand. 
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> 20 Fire will be an awning over them.
>
> — *90. al-Balad: The City*