The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Mecca) – 1 in which you are now living 2 and I swear by the parent and his offspring: 3 indeed, We created man in trouble. 4 Does he think that no one has power over him? 5 He says: “I have squandered enormous wealth.” 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 and guided him on the two highways? 10 Yet he has not scaled the height. 11 And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? 12 It is the setting free of a slave 13 the giving of food upon the day of hunger 14 To an orphan, having relationship, 15 Or some poor wretch in misery, 16 And moreover to be of those who accepted faith, and who urged patience to one another and who urged graciousness to one another. 17 These are the people of the right. 18 And those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the Companions of the Left Hand; 19 Over them shall be Fire closing round. 20