The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
۞ No, I swear by this country (Mecca), 1 and you are a lodger in this country. 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 We created the human in fatigue. 4 Does he, then, think that no one has power over him? 5 He says, "I have spent wealth in abundance." 6 Does he think that no one has seen him? 7 Have We not made for him two eyes 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 And shown him the two ways (good and evil)? 10 But he hath made no haste on the path that is steep. 11 And what do you know what that difficult steep is? 12 It is the setting free of a slave 13 Or, feeding, in a day of privation, 14 An orphan near of kin, 15 or some needy person in distress, 16 the believers who cooperate with others in patience (steadfastness) and kindness. 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