The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
۞ 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 by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 3 We created the human in fatigue. 4 Does he, then, 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 Did We not give him two eyes, 8 and a tongue and two lips? 9 and shown him the two highways [of good and evil]? 10 Yet he has not assaulted the steep; 11 What will explain to you what the ascent is? 12 It is the setting free of a slave 13 or the feeding, upon a day of [one's own] hunger, 14 The orphan near in relationship, 15 or a needy man in misery; 16 And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion. 17 Such are the Companions 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 The Fire will be shut over them (i.e. they will be enveloped by the Fire without any opening or window or outlet. 20