The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ I swear by this city (Makkah); 1 in which you are now living 2 And by the giver of birth, and whom he fathered, 3 indeed, We created man in trouble. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says, “I destroyed vast wealth.” 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes?- 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 And did We not show him the two highroads (of good and evil)? 10 But he has not broken through the difficult pass. 11 And what shall make thee understand that which the steep is? 12 (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) 13 Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine), 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 Or to the poor man lying in the dust. 16 and, then besides this, he be one of those who believed, and enjoined upon one another steadfastness and enjoined upon one another compassion. 17 Their place will be on the right hand. 18 And those who denied Our signs, are the people of the left. 19 over them is a Fire covered down. 20