The Town (Al-Balad)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ No, I swear by this country (Mecca), 1 in which you are now living 2 And by the begetter and that which he begat, 3 that We have created the human being to face a great deal of hardship. 4 Does he think that never will anyone overcome him? 5 (He boasts and shows off) saying, "I have spent a great deal of money (for the cause of God)". 6 Does he believe that none has seen him? 7 Have We not appointed to him two eyes, 8 One tongue, and two lips, 9 and guided him on the two paths (of good and evil)? 10 So he did not quickly enter the steep valley. 11 And what do you know what that difficult steep is? 12 It is the freeing of a slave; 13 Or the feeding on a day of hunger. 14 to an orphaned relative 15 Or to a Miskin (poor) afflicted with misery. 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 Their place will be on the right hand. 18 But those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the Left Hand. 19 over them is a Fire covered down. 20