The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by this city -- 1 And you are free (from sin, to punish the enemies of Islam on the Day of the conquest) in this city (Makkah). 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 That We created man in toil and trouble. 4 What, does he think none has power over him, 5 He says: "I have wasted a great deal of wealth." 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 and shown him the two paths? 10 But he did not venture to scale the difficult steep. 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 It is the freeing of a slave; 13 the giving of food upon the day of hunger 14 of an orphaned relative 15 or a needy man in misery; 16 and being, withal, of those who have attained to faith, and who enjoin upon one another patience in adversity, and enjoin upon one another compassion. 17 Such are they that have attained to righteousness; 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions 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