The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
۞ No, I swear by this country (Mecca), 1 And you shall be made free from obligation in this city-- 2 and by parent and offspring, 3 We created the human in fatigue. 4 Thinks he that none can overcome him? 5 He says, "I have spent enormous wealth." 6 Thinketh he that none beholdeth him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 and shown him the two paths? 10 But he has not broken through the difficult pass. 11 And what will explain to thee the path that is steep?- 12 (It is) the freeing of a slave, 13 And to feed in the 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 They are the people of the right hand (and will succeed). 18 and [as for] those who are bent on denying the truth of Our revelations, they are the people of the left hand, 19 Over them will be fire closed in. 20