The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
۞ No, I swear by this country (Mecca), 1 And thou art an indweller of this city - 2 And [by] the father and that which was born [of him], 3 Verily We have created man into toil and struggle. 4 Does man think that no one will ever have power over him? 5 (He boasts and shows off) saying, "I have spent a great deal of money (for the cause of God)". 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 and a tongue, and two lips, 9 And did We not guide him to the two elevated things? 10 But he has not broken through the difficult pass. 11 And what will make you comprehend what the uphill road is? 12 (It is) to free a slave, 13 or, in a day of famine, the feeding of 14 an orphaned relative 15 or of a needy [stranger] lying in the dust 16 and being, withal, of those who have attained to faith, and who enjoin upon one another patience in adversity, and enjoin upon one another compassion. 17 These are the people of the right hand. 18 And those who disbelieve in Our signs, they are the Companions of the Left Hand; 19 [with] fire closing in upon them. 20