The Town (Al-Balad)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 and I swear by the parent and his offspring: 3 We have indeed created man surrounded by hardships. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 (He boasts and shows off) saying, "I have spent a great deal of money (for the cause of God)". 6 What, does he think none has seen him? 7 Did We not make two eyes for him? 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 And shown him the two highways? 10 Yet he has not assaulted the steep; 11 and what shall teach thee what is the steep? 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 Or, feeding, in a day of privation, 14 of an orphaned relative 15 Or to a Miskin (poor) afflicted with misery. 16 And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion. 17 Those are the Companions of the Right Hand. 18 But those who disbelieved in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), they are those on the Left Hand (the dwellers of Hell). 19 Upon them is a fire, in which they are imprisoned, closed and shut above them. 20