The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
۞ I do not (need to) swear by this town (Mecca) 1 And you are free to live upon it, -- 2 And (the mystic ties of) parent and child;- 3 That We created man in toil and trouble. 4 Thinks he that none can overcome him? 5 He saith: I have wasted riches plenteous. 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Did We not assign unto him two eyes 8 a tongue, and two lips? 9 And shown him the two highways? 10 Yet he has not assaulted the steep; 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 [It is] the freeing of one's neck [from the burden of sin,] 13 Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine), 14 of an orphaned relative 15 Or a poor man cleaving to the dust. 16 And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion. 17 These are the People of the Right Hand. 18 As for those who rejected Our Signs, they are the People of the Left Hand. 19 Over them will be fire closed in. 20