The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
۞ No, I swear by this country (Mecca), 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 And (the mystic ties of) parent and child;- 3 We have indeed created man surrounded by hardships. 4 Does he, then, think that no one has power over him? 5 He shall say: I have wasted much wealth. 6 Does he think that none has observed him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and two lips, 9 And pointed out to him the two conspicuous ways? 10 So he did not quickly enter the steep valley. 11 and what shall teach thee what is the steep? 12 (It is:) freeing the bondman; 13 Or feeding on a day of severe hunger 14 The orphan near in relationship, 15 or to a destitute lying in dust; 16 And to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to pity. 17 These are the People of the Right Hand. 18 As for those who rejected Our Signs, they are the People of the Left Hand. 19 The Fire will be shut over them (i.e. they will be enveloped by the Fire without any opening or window or outlet. 20