The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Mecca) – 1 in which you are now living 2 or by the great father and his wonderful son (Abraham and Ishmael) 3 that We have created man into a life of toil and trial. 4 Does He think that no one will ever have control over him? 5 He will say: 'I have destroyed a vast wealth' 6 Does he think that none has observed him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes? 8 And a tongue, and a pair of lips?- 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 But he did not venture to scale the difficult steep. 11 And what have you understood, what the valley is! 12 (It is) to free a slave, 13 Or the giving of food in a day of hunger 14 An orphan of near relationship 15 Or of a homeless needy person! 16 so that he becomes one of those who believe, charge each other to be patient, and charge each other to be merciful. 17 Those are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 But they who disbelieved in Our signs - those are the companions of the left. 19 The Fire will vault them over. 20