The Town (Al-Balad)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
۞ I swear by this city (Makkah); 1 and thou art a lodger in this land; 2 And by the begetter (i.e. Adam) and that which he begot (i.e. his progeny); 3 Certainly We have created man to be in distress. 4 Deemest he that none will overpower him? 5 saying, 'I have consumed wealth abundant'? 6 Does he think that no one sees him? 7 Have We not given him two eyes, 8 a tongue, and two lips? 9 And have shown him the two ways? 10 But he would not try to ascend the steep uphill road... 11 And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? 12 The freeing of a slave! 13 or giving food upon a day of hunger 14 An orphan, of kin, 15 or some needy person in distress, 16 so that he becomes one of those who believe, charge each other to be patient, and charge each other to be merciful. 17 They are those on the Right Hand (the dwellers of Paradise), 18 As for those who disbelieve in Our revelations, they are the people of the left 19 On them is fire closed over. 20