The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Mecca) – 1 this land in which thou art free to dwell 2 by the begetter, and that he begot, 3 Assuredly We have created man in trouble. 4 What, does he think none has power over him, 5 He says (boastfully): "I have wasted wealth in abundance!" 6 Does he think that none has observed him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 a tongue, and two lips? 9 And showed him two highways (of good and evil)? 10 Yet he has not assaulted the steep; 11 And what have you understood, what the valley is! 12 The freeing of a slave, 13 Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine), 14 To an orphan near of kin. 15 or of a needy [stranger] lying in the dust 16 and, then besides this, he be one of those who believed, and enjoined upon one another steadfastness and enjoined upon one another compassion. 17 Their place will be on the right hand. 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 shall be Fire closing round. 20