The Town (Al-Balad)
Allah - beginning with the name of - the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ I swear by this city, Makkah - 1 And you, [O Muhammad], are free of restriction in this city - 2 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 3 We have certainly created man into hardship. 4 Does he think then that no one has power over him? 5 He says: "I have wasted a great deal of 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 a pair of lips? 9 And pointed out to him the two conspicuous ways? 10 But he did not venture to scale the difficult steep. 11 How will you comprehend what the Steep ascent is? -- 12 (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) 13 Or the giving of food in a day of privation 14 To an orphan, having relationship, 15 Or of a homeless needy person! 16 Then he became one of those who believed, and recommended one another to perseverance and patience, and (also) recommended one another to pity and compassion. 17 They are those on the Right Hand (the dwellers of Paradise), 18 As for those who rejected Our Signs, they are the People of the Left Hand. 19 Upon them is a fire, in which they are imprisoned, closed and shut above them. 20