The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ I swear by this city, Makkah - 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 by the begetter, and that he begot, 3 Verily We have created man into toil and hardship. 4 Thinketh he, that none hath power over him? 5 (He boasts and shows off) saying, "I have spent a great deal of money (for the cause of God)". 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 a tongue, and two lips, 9 And shown him the two ways (good and evil)? 10 Yet, he has not entered into Aqaba 11 And what will explain to thee the path that is steep?- 12 (It is) the setting free of a slave, 13 Or the giving of food in a day of privation 14 Of a related orphan, 15 or of a needy [stranger] lying in the 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 These are the people of the right. 18 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20