The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ No, I swear by this country (Mecca), 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 and by parent and offspring, 3 We verily have created man in an atmosphere: 4 Does he think that none has power over him! 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes? 8 a tongue, and two lips, 9 And did We not show him the two highroads (of good and evil)? 10 But he has made no effort to pass on the path that is steep. 11 And what will make you comprehend what the uphill road is? 12 It is freeing the neck, 13 or, in a day of famine, the feeding of 14 The orphan near in relationship, 15 Or the poor in distress; 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 These are the people of the right hand. 18 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 and the Fire will close in on them. 20