The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 And you shall be made free from obligation in this city-- 2 And by the begetter and that which he begat, 3 We have indeed created man surrounded by hardships. 4 Does man think that no one will ever have power over him? 5 And he saith: I have destroyed vast wealth: 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 And a tongue and two lips, 9 And shown him the two ways (good and evil)? 10 But he has made no effort to pass on the path that is steep. 11 What could let you know what the height is! 12 (It is:) freeing the bondman; 13 or giving food on a day of hunger 14 to an orphaned relative 15 or of a needy [stranger] lying in the dust 16 so that he becomes one of those who believe, charge each other to be patient, and charge each other to be merciful. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 And those who denied Our signs, are the people of the left. 19 On them is fire closed over. 20