The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 in which you are now living 2 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 3 Verily We have created man into toil and hardship. 4 Does he, then, think that no one has power over him? 5 He will say: 'I have destroyed a vast wealth' 6 Thinks he that none sees him? 7 Did We not grant him two eyes, 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 But he has not broken through the difficult pass. 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 It is freeing someone's neck from slavery; 13 or giving food on a day of hunger 14 of an orphaned relative 15 Or a poor man cleaving to the dust. 16 then that he become of those who believe and counsel each other to be steadfast, and counsel each other to be merciful. 17 These are the People of the Right Hand. 18 But those who deny Our revelations are the people of the left hand: 19 with the Fire closed above them. 20