The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ No, I swear by this country (Mecca), 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 and [I call to witness] parent and offspring: 3 Verily, We have created man in toil. 4 Does he think that none has power over him! 5 And he saith: I have destroyed vast wealth: 6 Does he think that none has observed him? 7 Have We not made for him a pair of eyes?- 8 And a tongue and two lips? 9 And shown unto him the two highways? 10 But he could not scale the steep ascent. 11 And what could make thee conceive what it is, that steep uphill road? 12 (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) 13 And to feed in the day of hunger. 14 to an orphan near of kin 15 Or a poor man cleaving to the dust. 16 then that he become of those who believe and counsel each other to be steadfast, and counsel each other to be merciful. 17 Those who do so are the people of the right hand, 18 And those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the Companions of the Left Hand; 19 On them is fire closed over. 20