The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ I swear by yonder 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 swear by the parent and his offspring: 3 that We have created the human being to face a great deal of hardship. 4 Does man think that no one will ever have power over him? 5 He saith: I have wasted riches plenteous. 6 Deemest he that none beholdeth him? 7 Did We not give him two eyes, 8 a tongue, and two lips, 9 And shown him the two highways? 10 But he hath made no haste on the path that is steep. 11 And what do you know what that difficult steep is? 12 (It is:) freeing the bondman; 13 Or the giving of food in a day of privation 14 an orphaned relative 15 or to a destitute lying in dust; 16 Then will he be of those who believe, and enjoin patience, (constancy, and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and compassion. 17 Those who do so 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 over them is a Fire covered down. 20